Senate finally passes State Police Bill — but the devil is in the details

The Senate passed the constitutional amendment to establish state police yesterday, Wednesday, 24 June 2026. They had to resort to manual voting because the electronic voting device developed a technical fault. Each senator stood up, announced their name, and declared their position openly. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele moved the motion for this manual process.

This is the kind of reform we have been crying for since the days of Awolowo. State police means local control over security, which means communities can finally hold their police accountable. But I am watching this with dry eyes. The same National Assembly that could not pass the Electoral Act properly is now handling constitutional amendments for state police. The same senators who vote against their own constituents on budget matters are now deciding how security will be restructured.

I remember my father used to say, "A ki i fi owo osi gba'le" — you do not use the left hand to receive the house. Meaning, this matter requires careful handling. We have seen how state governors use local government chairmen as personal errand boys. What stops a governor from using state police to harass political opponents? The bill is passed, but the real work begins now. How many states can even afford to fund a police force when they cannot pay salaries? Are we ready for the consequences?