36 States Assembly Speakers Endorse State Police, Gives Reason
- Federal lawmakers have taken a stance on the establishment of state police in Nigeria under Bola Tinubu's led government
- The development has received a major boost as the 36 Speakers of State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria on Thursday, May 16, backed the creation of state police in Nigeria
- The Speakers made their position known at a meeting in Abuja and sent an important message to the leadership of the National Assembly
PAY ATTENTION: The 2024 Business Leaders Awards Present Entrepreneurs that Change Nigeria for the Better. Check out their Stories!
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
On Thursday, May 16, the speakers of Nigeria’s 36 state houses of assembly supported the national assembly's ongoing process of creating state police.
Source: Facebook
As reported by The Punch, the speakers made their resolution known in a communique issued at the end of the meeting of the conference of speakers of state legislatures held in Abuja on Thursday.
Adebo Ogundoyin, speaker of the Oyo House of Assembly and chairman of the conference, signed the communique.
The speakers said state policing would check the negative trend of insecurity in the country, The Cable reported.
As reported by The Nation, the two chambers of the National Assembly are working to further alter some provisions in the 1999 constitution.
IG raised concerns over state police
Recall that the Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, during a one-day dialogue on the issue in Abuja on Monday, April 22, had rejected the call for state police.
According to him, Nigeria is not mature for state police.
The IGP noted that the establishment of state police would spike ethnic tension, leading to divided loyalty in the states. In a statement released by AIG Ben Okolo who represented him, Egbetokun said the establishment of state police will also lead to multiple command structures across Nigeria.
He believes that the state government does not have enough to fund the type of policing that Nigeria needs.
As an alternative, Egbetokun recommended merging the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to form a department in the force.
Why the 36 state assembly speakers backed state police
According to the speakers, state policing would check the negative trend of insecurity in the country.
Governors endorse state police
Legit.ng earlier reported that following the spate of insecurity in Nigeria, 16 state governors endorsed the establishment of state police.
The National Economic Council (NEC) disclosed this via a report submitted to it at its 140th meeting held virtually and chaired by the vice president, Kashim Shettima.
PAY ATTENTION: Unlock the best of Legit.ng on Pinterest! Subscribe now and get your daily inspiration!
Source: Legit.ng
