The House of Representatives on Thursday passed the bill seeking to establish state police, with 288 lawmakers voting in support of the proposal and four opposing it.

The resolution followed voting during plenary presided over by the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, a day after members of the Green Chamber devoted legislative time to debating the contentious bill.

Announcing the outcome of the exercise, Abbas said lawmakers adopted a manual voting process through a show of hands following the failure of the electronic voting system.

The proposed legislation seeks to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture by creating an additional layer of policing at the state level while providing constitutional safeguards, operational frameworks, oversight mechanisms, and clearly defining the powers of federal and state policing authorities.

The passage of the bill marks a significant legislative step in the long-running national conversation on decentralising policing amid worsening insecurity in several parts of the country.

Before the voting, the House released the final print of the Constitution Alteration Bills seeking to provide a constitutional framework for the establishment of state police and other reforms.

In a statement issued earlier, the House spokesman, Akintunde Rotimi, said the proposed constitutional amendments reflected months of legislative work by the House Committee on Constitution Review.

Rotimi said the review process followed the receipt and consideration of constitutional amendment proposals from lawmakers, government institutions, professional bodies, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, and citizens.

According to him, the process also involved extensive stakeholder engagements, including zonal and national public hearings, expert sessions, consultative meetings, and town hall meetings held across the six geopolitical zones to ensure broad public participation.

“The bills represent the culmination of several months of rigorous legislative work undertaken by the House Committee on Constitution Review,” the statement read.

The House decision comes amid renewed concerns over insecurity, banditry, kidnapping, and violent attacks in parts of the country, with proponents arguing that state police would improve grassroots security and response time.

Meanwhile, the Senate has passed the state police bill for second reading and referred it to the Senate Committee on Constitution Review.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, during plenary, said lawmakers would vote on the bill at a subsequent sitting.

Member of the House of Representatives representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency,  Engr. Aderemi  Oseni, has fulfilled his earlier pledge towards the execution of a solar power project at the Anfaani Muslim Community Central Mosque in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The lawmaker, who chairs the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), released the pledged ₦5 million to facilitate the execution of the project, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele and made available to journalists in Ibadan.

The statement explained that the release of funds was in fulfilment of Oseni’s commitment to support the mosque’s solar power initiative, noting that the project would be executed at the discretion of the mosque’s central committee.

The media aide said the intervention underscored the lawmaker’s sustained commitment to faith-based institutions, community development and humanitarian service.

“The ₦5 million earlier pledged by Hon. Remi Oseni for the Anfaani Muslim Community Central Mosque solar project has now been fully released for the execution of the project,” the statement said.

“It is important to state that the implementation and handling of the project remain entirely at the discretion of the Central Mosque Committee in line with the leadership structure and priorities of the religious body.”

Oseni, who is also the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections, described support for religious institutions as both a privilege and responsibility.

According to him, contributing to initiatives that strengthen worship centres and foster communal development remains an act of service to humanity.

“I had the honour and privilege of supporting the Anfaani Muslim Community Central Mosque with the sum of ₦5 million towards the execution of its solar power project. Supporting institutions devoted to worship and community development is always a blessing and profound responsibility,”

The APC chieftain was quoted as saying.

He added that opportunities to impact society positively should never be taken for granted.

“Whenever we are presented with opportunities to uplift faith-based institutions and contribute to the wellbeing of our communities, we must embrace them with sincerity and gratitude,” he said.

The lawmaker further prayed for continued peace, progress and prosperity across communities, expressing optimism that religious institutions would continue to serve as pillars of moral guidance and social development.

“May Almighty God continue to strengthen our religious institutions, bless our communities with peace, and prosper every effort geared towards the advancement of faith, unity and humanity,” he added.

The House of Representatives member for Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has donated four boreholes, a 500KVA transformer, and solar-powered streetlights to Fatokun Itesiwaju Community, Iyana Tipa, Bako, in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The donation, made during the community’s 5th anniversary celebration last Sunday, aims to improve access to clean water, reliable electricity, and safer streets for residents. Oseni urged community leaders to strategically locate the projects to ensure that every household benefits.

Speaking through his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, the lawmaker said the gesture reflects his commitment to delivering on electoral promises and bringing tangible development to his constituents.

“This is about improving lives. Clean water, electricity, and well-lit streets are essential for the community’s growth and safety. I want every household to feel the impact of these projects,” the APC chieftain said.

Oseni, who is also the APC senatorial candidate for Oyo South, highlighted several  projects and initiatives in the constituency. These include a ₦1 million youth entrepreneurship empowerment scheme benefiting 100 youths – over 60 of whom have already benefited, programmes for traders and artisans, free WAEC and JAMB examination sponsorships for indigent students, and the construction of schools, health centres, bridges, and roads, among others.

“Development is not just about infrastructure; it’s about empowering people. Giving our youths opportunities, supporting local traders, and improving community facilities are all part of a larger vision to uplift every household in the federal constituency,” he added.

The lawmaker also commended the community for its support in the last elections, which contributed to his overwhelming victory and that of APC candidates, including President Bola Tinubu, in the federal constituency. He assured residents that ongoing road projects would be completed and other promises fulfilled before the end of his tenure, noting that many of the initiatives have been included in the approved budget.

Community leaders, speaking separately, described Oseni as a “lawmaker who listens and acts, not just talks.”

“We have seen promises made by many before, but Engr. Oseni has shown real commitment. This is not the first time, and it has earned him the title of ‘Mr. Talk and Do.’ These donations will truly change lives,” one of the leaders said.