Lagos Assembly: State Police Constitutional Amendment Demands Autonomy

• The Lagos State House of Assembly supports state police but demands greater state control and clear power-sharing in the constitutional amendment.
• Speaker Mudashiru Obasa raised concerns that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, lacks sufficient clarity on state police administration.
• Obasa emphasized the need for explicit constitutional provisions defining the functions and responsibilities of state police to avoid imbalance.
• Nearly 25 states have already expressed support for the state police proposal during the ongoing constitutional review.
• Speaker Obasa also advocated for parliamentary policing to protect legislative independence from executive interference.

He asserted that fortifying legislative institutions is indispensable for strengthening democratic governance and sustaining democracy across Nigeria.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has formally endorsed the establishment of state police, a significant development in Nigeria's ongoing constitutional review. However, this support comes with a critical caveat: the legislative body insists that the proposed constitutional amendment must explicitly grant state governments greater autonomy over policing operations and clearly delineate the jurisdictional boundaries between state and federal law enforcement agencies. This position was articulated by Speaker Mudashiru Obasa during a recent plenary session, following a thorough consideration of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026.

Speaker Obasa highlighted that while the Sixth Alteration Bill represents a positive stride toward addressing Nigeria's persistent security challenges, its current provisions fall short of adequately resolving fundamental questions regarding the control and administration of state police forces. He emphasized the necessity for improvements to ensure that future administrations possess the requisite authority to effectively manage their security systems. The Speaker's remarks underscore a prevailing concern that without robust constitutional safeguards, the very purpose of decentralizing policing powers could be undermined if substantial authority remains concentrated at the federal level.

The demand for state police has been a consistent theme across successive National Assemblies, from the fifth to the tenth, reflecting a long-standing national aspiration to enhance security and safeguard lives and property. The current legislative proposal, the Nigeria Sixth Alteration Bill 2026, marks a pivotal moment as this persistent call is finally receiving dedicated constitutional attention. Despite this progress, the Lagos Assembly, through Speaker Obasa, has voiced significant Mudashiru Obasa state police concerns, particularly regarding the potential for an imbalanced policing structure if the powers of federal and state authorities are not meticulously defined.

Obasa specifically called for the inclusion of clear constitutional provisions that precisely outline the functions and responsibilities of the proposed state police. This emphasis on explicit power-sharing is crucial to prevent jurisdictional conflicts and ensure operational efficiency. The ongoing State Houses of Assembly constitutional review process is seeing widespread engagement, with nearly 25 states already indicating their support for the state police proposal, signaling a broad consensus on the need for this reform. The Speaker acknowledged the efforts of President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly leadership, and various state legislatures in advancing this amendment, while simultaneously urging all lawmakers to address the outstanding issues before the process concludes.

Beyond the broader debate on state police, Speaker Obasa utilized the legislative discussion to introduce a novel concept: parliamentary policing. This proposal advocates for dedicated security arrangements specifically tailored for legislative institutions, arguing that such measures are vital to protect their independence and ensure their unhindered functioning. Obasa referenced historical instances where state legislative complexes were reportedly demolished or locked at the behest of governors, illustrating the vulnerability of legislative bodies to executive interference.

The establishment of a Nigerian parliamentary policing proposal, according to Obasa, could serve as a crucial deterrent against such occurrences, thereby safeguarding lawmakers and preserving the autonomy of the legislative arm of government. He asserted that fortifying legislative institutions is indispensable for strengthening democratic governance and sustaining democracy across Nigeria. To formalize the Lagos Assembly’s position on these critical matters, Speaker Obasa directed the Clerk of the House, Adenike Oshinowo, to officially communicate their resolution to the National Assembly.

Lawyers and compliance officers should monitor the ongoing legislative debate surrounding the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, particularly the Lagos Assembly's demand for greater state control and clear power-sharing provisions for state police. The final form of this amendment will significantly impact the operational landscape for security and law enforcement across Nigeria, potentially affecting client interactions with state authorities and requiring adjustments to compliance frameworks. The proposal for parliamentary policing also presents a novel development for legislative independence.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH.