Backing for the state police bill picked up steam on Thursday as speakers of Nigeria’s 36 state assemblies, governors, Labour Party and the Forum of APC Speakers all backed the Constitution Alteration Bill passed by the Senate.

The endorsement came less than 24 hours after the Senate approved the plan to decentralise policing, pushing Nigeria closer to ending its decades-long debate on state-controlled security. The bill now needs approval from at least 24 state Houses of Assembly before it goes to President Bola Tinubu for assent.

Benue Governor Hyacinth Alia hailed the Senate move as “courageous and timely,” saying state police will understand local terrain and respond faster to banditry, kidnapping and communal clashes. Kano Assembly had already convened stakeholders with Gov Abba Yusuf, while Gombe Speaker Abubakar Luggerewo said lawmakers were “generally favourably disposed” but would still hold public hearings. Akwa Ibom Speaker Udeme Otong said they’d study the bill first, but Bayelsa and the APC Speakers Forum declared full support. Labour Party urged governors and lawmakers to rise above politics, citing Section 17 safeguards against abuse. Only the Peoples Redemption Party opposed it, questioning Tinubu’s motives.