State police bill won’t be delayed by National Assembly recess — Senate

The Senate has assured Nigerians that the ongoing harmonisation of the State Police Bill will continue despite the National Assembly’s annual recess, saying committee activities remain active and will ensure the legislation is concluded without delay.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, gave the assurance in an interview, explaining that although plenary sessions have been suspended until September 14, legislative committees will continue working throughout the recess.

According to him, the break in plenary does not affect committee assignments, including work on the proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police.

“Our holiday does not stop harmonisation because committees remain active. While plenary is on recess, committees continue to carry out legislative duties, oversight functions and attend to urgent matters,” Adaramodu said.

He disclosed that the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, is responsible for harmonising the bill with the version passed by the House of Representatives.

Adaramodu expressed confidence that the harmonisation process would be completed before lawmakers reconvene, noting that the State Police Bill had been separated from other constitutional amendment proposals because of its urgency and widespread public support.

He said the National Assembly was determined to fast-track the legislation instead of allowing it to be delayed by debates on other constitutional amendments.

According to him, lawmakers decided to prioritise the bill because the demand for state police has become a national issue requiring urgent legislative attention.

The Senate spokesman also revealed that consultations had already been held with Speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, whose approval is required for the constitutional amendment to take effect.

He said the state legislatures had indicated their readiness to consider the bill promptly, while governors had also expressed support for the proposal through the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

Adaramodu expressed optimism that the harmonisation process and transmission of the bill to state assemblies could be completed within the next two months.

His comments came a day after the Presidency announced that President Bola Tinubu is expected to receive the draft Executive National Policing Bill on September 3.

The Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the executive bill would provide the operational framework for implementing state policing once the constitutional amendment is completed.

He explained that the Executive National Policing Bill is separate from the constitutional amendment already passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, noting that while the constitutional amendment provides the legal basis for state police, the executive legislation will outline how the new policing system will operate if eventually approved.