Speaker Abbas says state police will not serve as governors’ private armies
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has assured Nigerians that the proposed state police will not become political tools for governors. He emphasized that the constitutional amendment includes safeguards to prevent abuse and aims to strengthen community policing while maintaining national oversight. Bola Tinubu was commended for being the first sitting president to formally submit an executive bill for state police. The House promises rigorous scrutiny to ensure the reform upholds democracy and the rule of law.
What we know
- Tajudeen Abbas stated that the state police bill contains constitutional safeguards to prevent misuse by governors.
- The proposal marks the first time a sitting president, Bola Tinubu, has formally transmitted a bill to establish state police.
- The legislation would rename the Nigeria Police Force as the Federal Police Service and allow states to create their own police if they meet national standards.
- Commissioners of Police would be appointed with input from the National Police Council and state legislatures, and could only be removed by a two-thirds majority of the House of Assembly for just cause.
- The Federal Police would retain authority over terrorism, border security, federal offences, and could intervene if a state police service collapses or is misused, under specific constitutional conditions.
