The Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday, unanimously voted in favour of the constitutional amendment seeking to establish state police across the country.
The National Assembly had on Wednesday, September 16, 2026 transmitted the Constitutional Amendment Bill seeking to establish state police to the 36 state Houses of Assembly for ratification.
The Rivers Assembly adopted the resolution backing the bill on Monday, September 28, 2026, during a plenary session presided over by Martin Amaewhule, the Speaker.
Amaewhule read the cover letter from the National Assembly and presented the accompanying bill containing the proposed constitutional alterations required for the creation of state police.
After reading the relevant sections slated for amendment, Amaewhule put the proposal to a vote, with members unanimously endorsing the bill.
He said the Assembly’s decision was informed by the need to strengthen the country’s security framework and support ongoing security reforms under President Bola Tinubu.
Amaewhule explained that the bill contained 26 clauses, with 25 alterations involving substitutions to sections of the principal Act. The provisions for alteration include Sections 84(4), 89(2), 121(3), 124(4), 109(2), 153(1), 157(2), 158(1) and 160.
He directed that the votes and proceedings of the House on the state police amendment be adopted as an official working document, adding: “These votes and proceedings are hereby adopted as a working document of this House.”
Amaewhule also said the bill was expected to create a constitutional pathway for state police services, subject to the provisions of the Constitution.
He said that when passed, the amendment would strengthen the National Assembly’s role in prescribing national minimum policing standards.
