Calls for the establishment of state police have gained significant momentum, with speakers from the 36 Houses of Assembly in Nigeria expressing strong support for the initiative. They believe state police will enhance efforts to combat insecurity.
In a communiqué issued after a meeting in Abuja, the speakers urged the National Assembly to prioritize the state police proposal during the upcoming constitution amendment debate. They lamented that most governors are disregarding the constitutional provision for financial autonomy of state legislatures.
“The Conference strongly advocates for state policing to check the negative trend of insecurity in our country,” the communiqué stated. “To achieve this, the Conference appeals to the National Assembly, Presidency, and other relevant stakeholders to leverage the ongoing constitution review exercise.”
The speakers also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take additional measures to alleviate the hardships caused by the removal of the fuel subsidy and other economic policies. “The unintended consequences of these policies are too harsh on the populace. We, therefore, urge the Federal Government and State Governments to initiate sustainable policies with equal measure of courage to ameliorate the sufferings of the people,” they noted.
The meeting, held under the aegis of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, was chaired by Oyo State Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin, who signed the communiqué.
Despite opposition from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, who cited potential abuse of power, the Vice President Kashim Shettima reiterated the administration’s commitment to creating state police. “We are committed to creating an enabling environment for the establishment of state police in the country,” Shettima said.
Former police boss Sunday Ehindero also voiced support for the proposal. “State police is the way to go if we are serious about tackling the rising crime across the country,” he stated.
The speakers called for adherence to the constitutional provisions on financial autonomy and urged political leaders in Rivers State to resolve conflicts between the legislative and executive branches peacefully. “We appeal to the relevant political leaders in Rivers State to explore peaceful means to resolve the near impasse situation between the Legislative and Executive Arms of government of the state,” the communiqué read.
They also discussed various governance issues and received presentations from experts and House committee chairmen on nutrition, food security, and inter-parliamentary affairs.
