Political Parties Warn Senate's State Police Plan Risks Ethnic Militia

June 30, 2026 4 min read

The Nigerian Senate faces mounting resistance from political parties and civil groups over its push to amend the constitution and create state police forces, with critics warning that the proposal could open the door to ethnic militias and state-level oppression. The Senate's Constitution Alteration Committee began public hearings last month on proposals that would shift policing powers from the federal government to individual states. Parties across the political spectrum have submitted formal objections, arguing that Nigeria's ethnic and religious divisions make decentralised policing dangerous. The debate strikes at the heart of Nigeria's security crisis, where citizens face daily threats from bandits, kidnappers, and insurgent groups.

Parties Sound Alarm Over Federalism Fears

The All Progressives Congress, the main opposition party, submitted a 12-page memorandum to the Senate warning that state police could become tools of political persecution. The People's Democratic Party, which controls several state governorships, expressed separate concerns that the proposal lacks adequate safeguards against abuse. Smaller parties including the Labour Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party joined the chorus of opposition, arguing that state police would empower governors to target political rivals. The opposition parties specifically cited incidents from Nigeria's First Republic, when regional police forces were used to suppress opposition parties. Those regional forces were dissolved after the 1966 military coup that ended the First Republic.

Governor's Accountability Gaps

State governors currently control state security outfits and vigilante groups, but these forces lack constitutional backing or standardised training. Critics point out that Nigeria's 36 state governors already command informal security structures with minimal oversight. The Senate proposal would give these arrangements legal standing while placing state police under state executive governors. Civil society organisations note that 23 of Nigeria's 36 states are governed by a single party, raising questions about how opposition politicians would be treated by state police. Human rights groups have documented cases where state governors allegedly used vigilante groups to harass journalists and activists.

Security Crisis Fuels Support for State Forces

Proponents of state police argue that the federal police have failed to contain Nigeria's worsening security challenges. Nigeria recorded over 3,400 abductions in the first quarter of this year alone, according to local security monitors. State governors in the North-West and North-Central regions have been the most vocal advocates for the change, saying they need local control to respond quickly to bandit attacks. The Senate's amendment would allow each state assembly to establish its own police force with officers recruited and paid locally. Governors would appoint state police commissioners, mirroring the current federal structure. Supporters say this mirrors successful models in the United States and other federal systems.

Constitutional Hurdles and Timeline

The Senate needs a two-thirds majority in both chambers to pass any constitutional amendment, then state assemblies must ratify the changes. Currently, 72 senators support the proposal, just above the 66 threshold needed. The amendment process requires approval from at least 24 of Nigeria's 36 state assemblies. The National Assembly has until December to complete the alteration process before the current session ends. Constitutional lawyers have warned that the amendment faces legal challenges regardless of legislative approval. The Supreme Court previously struck down a 2018 attempt to create state police on grounds that policing remained a federal exclusive list item.

Community Leaders Weigh In

Traditional rulers from several northern states have passed resolutions supporting state police, saying they understand local security threats better than Abuja-based officials. Community leaders in the South-East have expressed the opposite view, arguing that state police would complicate efforts to address separatist violence. In Lagos, the country's commercial capital, business groups have called for faster policing reforms, citing economic losses from crime. The Lagos Chamber of Commerce estimates that crime costs the Lagos economy over 300 billion naira annually. Residents in rural communities say response times from federal police remain unacceptable, with some stations unvisited by officers for weeks at a time.

What Comes Next

The Senate Committee on Constitution Review is expected to submit its final report by November. Public hearings will continue in state assemblies that have scheduled sessions on the matter. Citizens groups are organising town halls across 14 states to educate voters on the proposals. The Nigeria Police Force has maintained a public silence on the debate, though senior officers have privately told journalists they lack the resources to police 200 million people effectively. Watch for a final Senate vote by December, followed by state assembly ratification votes in early next year.