RismadarVoice Reporters
October 21, 2026
The Cross River State House of Assembly has approved the proposed constitutional amendment seeking to establish state police services in Nigeria, joining other state legislatures supporting the decentralisation of the country’s policing system.
The Assembly passed the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, during plenary on Tuesday, October 20, with all 22 lawmakers present voting in favour.
Three members of the 25-member legislature were absent during the proceedings, while no votes were recorded against the proposal.
The bill seeks to provide a constitutional framework for establishing State Police Services alongside a Federal Police Service to strengthen security operations and improve responses to crime across the country.
The proposed legislation contains 26 clauses and provides for 25 constitutional alterations affecting several provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
Speaking after the vote, the Speaker of the Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, described the decision as a demonstration of the legislature’s commitment to strengthening security and protecting lives and property.
Ayambem emphasised that the proposed state policing system must operate within constitutional limits and uphold accountability, professionalism and democratic principles.
Contributing to the debate, the House Leader and representative of Odukpani State Constituency, Francis Asuquo, argued that decentralising policing would bring security services closer to local communities.
He maintained that a state-based policing structure could improve intelligence gathering and enable security authorities to respond more effectively to threats peculiar to different communities.
Similarly, the lawmaker representing Yala I State Constituency, Brian Odey, called for effective coordination between federal and state security agencies.
Odey stressed that the proposed arrangement should complement existing security institutions rather than create operational conflicts.
The Deputy House Leader and representative of Abi State Constituency, Davies Eta, also emphasised the importance of safeguards against abuse of power.
He urged lawmakers and relevant authorities to ensure that the proposed police services respect fundamental human rights and remain accountable to the law.
The Cross River Assembly’s endorsement comes as more state legislatures consider the proposed amendment transmitted by the National Assembly on September 16, 2026.
By Wednesday, October 21, reports indicated that 13 state Houses of Assembly had approved the proposal, including Cross River, Ogun, Delta, Kwara and Rivers.
Under Section 9 of the Constitution, the amendment requires approval from at least 24 of Nigeria’s 36 state legislatures before completing the remaining constitutional procedures.
Although Cross River has formally endorsed the proposal, the decision does not immediately establish a state police service.
The proposed reform must first complete the constitutional amendment process and receive the necessary legal authorisation before implementation.
