RismadarVoice Reporters
October 22, 2026
The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has unanimously endorsed the proposed constitutional amendment seeking to establish state police services in Nigeria, joining other state legislatures supporting the decentralisation of policing.
All 26 lawmakers present voted in favour of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, during plenary on Wednesday, October 21.
The decision followed the consideration and adoption of a report presented by the House Committee on Inter-governmental, Political and Special Matters, chaired by Emem Udom.
The motion for the adoption of the committee’s report was moved by Mfon Idung, representing Etim Ekpo/Ika State Constituency, and seconded by Lawrence Udoide, representing Ini State Constituency.
Presenting the report, Udom explained that the proposed amendment would establish a constitutional framework allowing state governments to create, fund and administer their own police services.
Under the proposed arrangement, the Federal Police Service would retain responsibility for federal policing functions, while state police services would operate within their respective constitutional jurisdictions.
The committee emphasised the importance of cooperation between federal and state policing institutions through intelligence sharing, operational coordination and mutual assistance.
It maintained that decentralised policing could strengthen community security by bringing law enforcement closer to residents and improving responses to local security challenges.
Lawmakers also identified improved intelligence gathering, community participation and potential employment opportunities for young Nigerians as possible benefits of the proposed reform.
Following the unanimous approval, Speaker Udeme Otong directed the Clerk of the Assembly, Nsikak-Abasi Orok, to formally communicate the legislature’s decision to the National Assembly.
The endorsement forms part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process, which requires approval by at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 state Houses of Assembly.
Consequently, a minimum of 24 state legislatures must approve the proposed amendment before it can proceed through the remaining constitutional procedures.
Although Akwa Ibom has endorsed the proposal, the vote does not immediately establish a state police service or authorise the recruitment of state police officers.
The proposed constitutional changes must first complete the required legislative process and receive the necessary assent before implementation.
The development comes amid growing national discussions about security challenges, police response times and the capacity of the existing centralised policing structure to address threats across communities.
The Akwa Ibom Assembly subsequently adjourned plenary until Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at noon.
