The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria has thrown its weight behind the Senate’s passage of the State Police Bill for second reading, describing the development as a major milestone in the country’s ongoing constitutional amendment process and the broader quest for improved security and true federalism.

In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Conference and Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, the Speakers of the 36 State Houses of Assembly said they had consistently supported the establishment of state police, maintaining that community-based policing would significantly enhance security, intelligence gathering, and rapid response to crime across the country.

The Conference stressed that security challenges differ from one community to another and argued that policing should be structured to reflect local realities, noting that officers who understand the language, culture, and terrain of their communities are better positioned to combat insecurity effectively.

According to the statement, the advancement of the bill by the Senate represents an important step towards strengthening Nigeria’s policing architecture and deepening the country’s federal system of government.

The Speakers assured Nigerians that once the constitutional amendment reaches the State Houses of Assembly as required under Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution, the legislatures would subject the proposal to thorough scrutiny.

They pledged to organise stakeholder engagements, public hearings where necessary, and conduct objective deliberations to ensure that the final outcome serves the collective interest of the nation.

While commending the Senate for what they described as a bold legislative move, the Conference urged political leaders, civil society groups, security experts, and Nigerians to sustain constructive discussions on the proposed state police framework with patriotism and factual contributions.

The Conference further reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the National Assembly, the Executive, and other relevant institutions to ensure the successful passage of constitutional amendments that would strengthen democratic governance, improve security, and promote effective service delivery across all levels of government.