The Senate has assured Nigerians that work on the proposed State Police Bill will continue throughout the National Assembly’s annual recess, with lawmakers determined to complete the harmonisation process without unnecessary delays.
The assurance came as the upper chamber explained that although plenary sessions have been suspended until September 14, committee activities will continue to ensure the constitutional amendment moves forward as planned.
The reassurance was given by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, during an interview. He said the ongoing recess would not stop committees from carrying out their legislative duties, including the harmonisation of the bill already passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
According to Adaramodu, committees of both chambers remain active during recess and will continue meeting whenever necessary. He explained that lawmakers use the break from plenary to carry out committee work, oversight functions and other legislative assignments that do not require a full sitting of the National Assembly.
He disclosed that the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, is responsible for handling the harmonisation of the State Police Bill because it involves an amendment to the Constitution.
The Senate spokesman expressed confidence that the harmonisation exercise would be completed before lawmakers return from recess.
He explained that the State Police Bill had been separated from other constitutional amendment proposals because of its importance and the growing support it has received from Nigerians. He added that dealing with the bill independently would help prevent delays that could arise if it was considered alongside several other constitutional amendments.
Adaramodu also said the National Assembly had already engaged the Speakers of all 36 State Houses of Assembly, whose approval is required before the constitutional amendment can take effect. He stated that the discussions produced positive feedback, with the state legislatures indicating their readiness to act on the bill once it is transmitted to them.
He added that the Nigeria Governors’ Forum had also shown support for the proposal, making it easier for the legislative process to move forward. According to him, with both governors and state lawmakers backing the initiative, the remaining stages of the amendment process should proceed smoothly.
The Senate believes the entire process could be completed within the next two months if everything goes according to plan. After harmonisation by both chambers, the bill will be forwarded to the state legislatures for consideration before being sent to the President for assent if it secures the required constitutional approval.
The assurance came shortly after the Presidency announced that President Bola Tinubu is expected to receive the draft Executive National Policing Bill on September 3. The bill forms part of the Federal Government’s wider plan to reform Nigeria’s policing system.
Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, who chairs the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, recently said the executive proposal is different from the constitutional amendment on state police already passed by the National Assembly.
He explained that while the constitutional amendment creates the legal basis for state policing, the Executive National Policing Bill will provide the operational framework needed to implement the new system if it eventually becomes law.