Ekiti Assembly
The Ekiti State House of Assembly on Wednesday passed the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, endorsing the constitutional amendment that would create state police services across Nigeria. All 21 lawmakers present supported the passage at plenary, and the decision has been transmitted to the National Assembly alongside the assembly's observations. Premium Times, Punch and The Nation reported the development.
What exactly did the Ekiti Assembly pass?
The bill, known as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, provides a constitutional framework for decentralised policing in Nigeria. In its report, the Committee of the Whole House recommended that the Assembly grant concurrence to the proposed alteration, subject to an amendment to Section 317A(5). The bill scaled its second and third readings during plenary before passage.
Why does this matter for the state police debate?
State policing has sat at the centre of Nigeria's security conversation for more than two decades, driven by insecurity that has overwhelmed the centrally controlled Nigeria Police Force. Ekiti's Speaker, Aribasoye, said the state assembly had a historic opportunity to make its position known on the issue, stressing that the challenges of policing in Nigeria require practical solutions capable of addressing the concerns of citizens, according to Punch.
What happens next in the amendment process?
Constitutional alteration in Nigeria requires approval by two-thirds of members of both chambers of the National Assembly, followed by concurrence from at least 24 of the 36 state Houses of Assembly before a president can assent. State assemblies like Ekiti's are therefore the decisive second stage. Leadership reported that the Ekiti Assembly has transmitted the passed document and its observations to the National Assembly for further consideration.
Who supported and opposed the move?
The passage was unanimous among the 21 members present, reflecting broad acceptance in the state legislature. Nationwide, the state police question remains contested: supporters argue local forces will respond faster and know their terrain, while critics worry about governors weaponising state police against opponents and about funding capacity in poorer states.
What does it mean for ordinary Nigerians?
If enough assemblies follow Ekiti's lead, the amendment could reshape daily security experience, from response times to community-level intelligence gathering. For now, Ekiti's vote is one state's endorsement inside a national process whose outcome depends on how many assemblies agree.
FAQ
Q: What is the Sixth Alteration Bill 2026?
A: A constitutional amendment bill that would provide for the establishment of state police services in Nigeria.
Q: Did Ekiti pass it alone?
A: The Assembly passed the bill unanimously with all 21 members present supporting it.
Q: What is the next step?
A: Transmission to the National Assembly, which reported the document has been forwarded with the assembly's observations.
Sources: Premium Times (premiumtimesng.com), Punch (punchng.com), The Nation (thenationonlineng.net), Leadership Newspapers (leadership.ng), Tribune Online.
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