UYO-The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has unanimously approved the proposed amendment to the 1999 Constitution seeking to establish State Police Services in Nigeria, with all 26 lawmakers present voting in favour.
The approval, given during Wednesday’s plenary, followed the adoption of a report of the House Committee on Inter-governmental, Political, and Special Matters on the 1999 Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026 submitted by the Chairman, Hon. Emem Udom.
It marks Akwa Ibom State’s formal endorsement of the proposal being considered by State Houses of Assembly as part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process initiated by the National Assembly.
Rt. Hon. Mfon Idung (Etim Ekpo/Ika State Constituency) ,moved a motion for the ratification of the report, seconded by Hon. Lawrence Udoide of Ini state constituencyState Constituency.
The proposed alteration, according to the report, seeks to create a constitutional framework that would allow states to establish and finance their own police services while retaining the Federal Police Service and its responsibilities for federal policing functions.
Hon. Udom observed in the report that the Bill would provide for cooperation between Federal and State Police Services, including information sharing and mutual assistance, while preserving their respective constitutional responsibilities.
The Committee also observed that the Constitutional alteration would bring policing closer to the people, and encourage locally informed intelligence and community engagement, while the establishment of State Police would create employment for the youths.
Following the deliberations, the Speaker, Elder Udeme Otong, directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs Nsikak-Abasi Orok, to formally communicate the Assembly’s approval to the National Assembly for further legislative action.