The National Assembly has received approval from 28 State Houses of Assembly for the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish state police services in Nigeria.

The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, confirmed the constitutional compliance with the alteration process for the state police creation.

Mr Ogunlana said the bill was transmitted to the 36 state houses of assembly on September 16 for consideration and approval within 30 days as required by law and procedures, adding the stipulated period elapsed on October 15.

He, however, said that his office would continue to accept reports until the bill is transmitted for presidential assent in line with existing regulations.

He said that 28 state houses of assembly approved the bill, exceeding the two-thirds threshold of 24 states required under Section 9 of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999.

He stated, “The office undertook administrative verification of reports and accompanying votes and proceedings to establish authenticity and ensure accurate reflection of legislative decisions taken by respective state houses of assembly nationwide.”

Mr Ogunlana clarified that Section 9 does not expressly prescribe a third reading for a constitution alteration bill, unlike the procedure applicable to ordinary bills before parliament in the National Assembly.

He said that necessary administrative processes were being undertaken to facilitate transmission of the Bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent under the Authentication Act, CAP A2 Laws of the Federation, 2004.

“The National Assembly appreciates the cooperation and timely responses of the State Houses of Assembly,” he said.

The clerk described the approval as significant for strengthening the security architecture and deepening federalism in Nigeria’s evolving democratic system.

He said that the office of the clerk would continue to provide accurate and timely information on developments relating to the constitutional amendment process until the final presidential assent is secured and duly communicated to Nigerians.

(NAN)