Major Hurdles At Houses Of Assembly On State Police {Full List, Reasons}

Major Hurdles At Houses Of Assembly On State Police

OpenLife News reports that with just 12 days left to meet the National Assembly’s 30-day administrative target, the push for state police is facing a major hurdle at state Houses of Assembly, as only four states – Edo, Osun, Oyo and Rivers – have so far approved the 1999 Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026 transmitted on September 16.

The bill requires approval of at least 24 state Houses of Assembly to scale through. That means 20 more approvals are still needed.

A nationwide check shows most state legislatures are either yet to commence consideration, still studying the draft, awaiting the governor’s position, or claiming they are yet to receive the bill from the National Assembly.

Here is the full list of states where approval is dragging and their reasons:

SOUTH-WEST: 3 States Dragging, 1 In Limbo

Approved: Osun (Sept 22, clause-by-clause, no amendment), Oyo (third reading, no amendment).

Dragging:

Ondo: Received draft, circulated to 26 members for study. Yet to deliberate. Reason: Lawmakers still studying.

Ekiti: Received bill via letter dated Sept 16. Reason: Awaiting administrative procedures and listing by Rules and Business Committee.

Ogun: No substantive action. Constituted committee led by Olakunle Oluomo, Bolanle Ajayi, Yusuf Sherif Abiodun to scrutinise draft. Reason: Committee report pending.

In Limbo:

Lagos – Endorsed state police in principle at plenary on July 8-9, 2026 under Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, urged accelerated passage, but no confirmed clause-by-clause vote or formal transmission of resolution to NASS.

SOUTH-SOUTH: 3 States Dragging

Approved

Rivers (unanimous under Speaker Martin Amaewhule), Edo (concurrence moved by Majority Leader Osezua Ojiezele).

Dragging

Cross River: First Reading taken. Reason: Bill undergoing normal legislative process under Speaker Elvert Ayambem.

Delta: Confirmed receipt. Reason: Consulting critical stakeholders – CPS to Speaker, Nkem Nwaeke.

Bayelsa: Yet to debate as of Sept 25. Bill received but no plenary consideration. Reason: Prolonged absence from plenary (last sat Aug 18) and awaiting governor’s position.

NORTH: 14 States Dragging – Largest Bloc

Claiming Non-Receipt

5 States, namely- Kano, Kwara, Kebbi, Taraba, Gombe have given reason, saying they are yet to receive official communication from NASS. Kano (Spokesman Kamaludeen Sani Shawwai), Kwara (Information Chairman Rukayat Shittu), Taraba (Info Chairman Nelson Len) say they cannot deliberate without official transmission.

Received But No Debate

Positions of 7 States, namely

Yobe: Received Sept 29. Reason: Not listed on Order Paper – Legal Secretary Ibrahim Madaki.

Borno: Received and read at plenary. Reason: Lawmakers need time to study implications – Clerk Shettima Garba.

Kogi: Received. Reason: On break, to resume Oct 6 – Deputy Clerk Bayo Aka.

Nasarawa: Received Sept 18. Reason: Studying proposal – Speaker Danladi Jatau.

Zamfara: Received. Reason: Yet to schedule for deliberation – Speaker Bulyaminu Moriki.

Sokoto: Received. Reason: Careful study before debate – Deputy Speaker Kabiru Ibrahim Kware.

Benue: Yet to commence consideration.

Others

Adamawa: Bill sent to House but not formally presented at plenary. Reason: Awaiting formal presentation – Info Chairman Mohammed Kalam Musa.

Plateau: Only Northern state where consideration has commenced. First reading taken after motion by Majority Leader Joseph Gokum.

Bauchi: Received. Constituted committee headed by Deputy Speaker Jamilu Ummaru Dahiru. Reason: Given two weeks to submit report.

SOUTH-EAST: All 5 States Dragging

Anambra: Yet to commence debate. Speakers of 5 South-East Assemblies agreed in principle at Awka meeting but committee still collating inputs.

Abia: On recess, to resume Oct 6. Reason: Cannot vote individually, must be collective – Acting Clerk Promise Onwukwe.

Enugu: Yet to formally introduce or deliberate.Imo: Resumed from 2-month recess last week, did not consider bill. Next sitting expected Tuesday.

Ebonyi: Received. Speaker Moses Ijie Odunwa promised accelerated hearing. Reason: Still awaiting deliberation.

The slow pace, coming weeks after NASS transmission, raises concern over whether the 30-day target will be met, even though it is administrative and not constitutional.