By George Ozalla
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the leadership of the 10th Senate to commence constitutional amendments that would provide the legal backing for the establishment of State Police across the federation as part of measures to confront rising insecurity.
The President made the appeal on Wednesday night during an interfaith breakfast with senators at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he described the creation of State Police as an urgent national imperative in the face of evolving security threats.
He told the lawmakers that decentralising policing would strengthen grassroots security, enhance intelligence gathering at community level and improve the capacity of state governments to respond swiftly to threats within their jurisdictions. According to him, a state-based policing structure would complement the existing federal security framework and help restore confidence among citizens.
President Tinubu said the country is contending with terrorism, banditry and insurgency, stressing that a proactive constitutional review is necessary to equip the nation with appropriate legal tools to tackle the situation decisively. He called on the senators to begin deliberations on how best to amend the constitution to accommodate State Police, noting that securing forests, protecting communities and freeing children from fear must remain a collective responsibility.
The President commended the working relationship between the executive and the Senate, observing that unity between both arms of government remains critical in the fight against insecurity. He expressed appreciation for the Senate’s support for key economic reforms undertaken by his administration, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and ongoing tax reforms.
President Tinubu maintained that the reforms have curtailed entrenched corruption in the subsidy regime and eliminated distortions associated with foreign exchange arbitrage. He said the country is witnessing improved economic stability and increased revenue flows, adding that the collaboration between the executive and legislature has been instrumental in driving the reform agenda.
In his remarks, President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, thanked the President for hosting members of the Senate leadership at the interfaith gathering and commended him for what he described as bold and visionary leadership at a critical period in the nation’s history.
Akpabio noted that the administration’s economic reforms have translated into higher revenues for states, enabling governors to invest more in infrastructure and development projects at the sub-national level. He also offered prayers for the President and the peace and prosperity of the country.
The call for State Police has remained a recurring subject in Nigeria’s constitutional and security debates, with advocates arguing that decentralised policing could improve response time and local intelligence, while critics have raised concerns about possible abuse by state authorities. The National Assembly holds the constitutional power to initiate and approve amendments subject to required legislative procedures.
