The House of Representatives has commenced consideration of President Bola Tinubu's executive bill seeking to establish state police, indicating its readiness to adopt the Senate-approved version with only limited amendments.

The move marks a significant milestone in Nigeria's ongoing constitutional amendment process aimed at creating a multi-tier policing system to tackle persistent security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence.

Speaking at the House Committee on Constitution Review meeting today, the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Benjamin Kalu, said lawmakers would conduct a clause-by-clause examination of the executive bill using the Senate's approved version as the committee's primary working document.

According to Kalu, the House is not expected to make major changes, as the executive proposal closely aligns with the version previously considered by both chambers.

He disclosed that the Senate introduced about eight minor amendments, along with additional provisions covering interpretation, transitional arrangements, implementation, and other consequential matters, all of which would be carefully reviewed by the committee.

— CHANNELS