Senate Resumes With State Police, Ondo Air Crash and Constitution Review on Agenda

The Nigerian Senate is set to resume plenary on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, with the proposed establishment of state police, the fatal Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Ondo State and constitutional amendments expected to feature prominently in its legislative agenda. The resumption comes amid renewed concerns about insecurity and following the postponement of the Senate’s National Security Summit, which had been scheduled for October 12 and 13. Lawmakers are also expected to revisit electoral reforms, discuss broader security challenges and consider other pressing national issues as the National Assembly continues its legislative work. Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, told PUNCH that constitutional amendments and insecurity would be among the priorities for the new legislative period. The Senate’s immediate agenda reflects two related concerns: the search for reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and the need to address the circumstances surrounding the recent military aircraft crash in Ondo State. State police proposal returns to focus The proposed establishment of state police is expected to be one of the major issues before lawmakers as the Senate resumes. Adaramodu said the National Assembly had already transmitted the proposed constitutional amendment on state police to the 36 state Houses of Assembly and was awaiting their responses. “Our priorities on resumption is about revisiting the constitutional amendments which we have put together,” he said, adding that lawmakers would expand discussions on the proposal when the relevant processes progressed. On September 16, the National Assembly transmitted the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, which seeks to establish State Police Services, to state legislatures for consideration. The proposal is part of the wider constitutional review process intended to create a legal framework for state-level policing. Support for state police has grown amid persistent security challenges, including kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and violent crime. Advocates argue that state-level police services could improve local intelligence gathering and enable faster responses to security threats. However, establishing state police requires constitutional changes, and the proposal must pass through the prescribed legislative process before it can become law. Constitutional amendments require approval by at least two-thirds of the state Houses of Assembly before being presented to the President for assent. The state legislatures’ consideration of the bill is therefore a critical stage in determining whether the proposal can proceed. Ondo aircraft crash draws national attention The Senate’s resumption also follows the fatal crash involving a Nigerian Air Force ATR-42 aircraft in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on October 5. The incident prompted President Bola Tinubu to declare three days of national mourning and order a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash. The aircraft was carrying military personnel and crew members on a routine mission when it crashed. The Nigerian Air Force subsequently reported that 25 people were on board, comprising 20 passengers and five crew members, with no survivors. Earlier accounts had put the number of people aboard at 32, comprising 25 passengers and seven crew members. The discrepancy between the initial figure and the Air Force’s subsequent account had not been publicly resolved in the reports reviewed. The President directed the military to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, while the crash prompted condolences from government officials and renewed attention to military aviation safety. The Senate’s consideration of the incident comes as lawmakers face calls to address wider national security concerns and examine measures that could strengthen the protection of lives and property. Although the precise legislative action the Senate may take on the crash was not detailed in the report announcing its resumption agenda, the incident is expected to remain part of the broader discussions on security and national responsibilities. National Security Summit postponed The Senate had scheduled a two-day National Security Summit for October 12 and 13 to bring together stakeholders to examine Nigeria’s security challenges and develop practical recommendations. However, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele announced the postponement following the Ondo aircraft crash. Bamidele, who also chairs the Senate ad hoc committee responsible for the summit, said the decision was taken in honour of the deceased personnel and in line with the three-day national mourning declared by Tinubu. The summit was intended to provide a forum for lawmakers and other stakeholders to examine persistent threats to national security and consider measures to improve the protection of citizens. Preparations had reportedly been completed following zonal public hearings held ahead of the planned gathering. The postponement means the summit will not proceed on its original dates. A new date is to be announced, according to the Senate’s earlier statement. The Senate’s return to plenary, however, provides an opportunity for lawmakers to continue discussions on security matters through regular legislative proceedings while preparations for the summit remain on hold. Electoral reforms also expected to feature Beyond state policing and the Ondo crash, lawmakers are expected to revisit ongoing electoral reforms. The discussions come as political parties and electoral authorities prepare for the 2027 general elections, making changes to Nigeria’s electoral framework a continuing legislative concern. However, the report announcing the Senate’s resumption did not identify specific electoral amendment bills scheduled for consideration on Tuesday. The extent of the debate and whether particular proposals will advance will depend on the Senate’s formal proceedings and the business scheduled by its leadership. Lawmakers are also expected to consider broader economic and national issues, although the specific bills or motions to be taken up were not detailed in the report. Constitutional review remains a key legislative task The state police proposal forms part of the National Assembly’s wider review of the 1999 Constitution. The process involves proposed amendments that must pass through the constitutionally prescribed stages, including consideration by state legislatures. The Senate’s renewed focus on the process comes as questions about security responsibilities, policing structures and the relationship between federal and state authorities continue to feature in national discussions. The outcome of the state assemblies’ consideration will help determine whether the state police proposal can progress to the next stage. For now, the Senate’s resumption places constitutional reform, security and electoral matters back on its immediate agenda, while the Ondo aircraft crash remains a significant national issue following the loss of military personnel. The coming proceedings are expected to clarify which proposals lawmakers will prioritise and how the Senate intends to advance its constitutional and security-related work in the weeks ahead.