In Nigeria, 32 state assemblies approve state police
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Punch and Business Day Nigeria
Nigerian Senate leader Opeyemi Bamidele says 32 state assemblies have approved the bill on state police, eight more than the constitutional threshold. The remaining four assemblies must submit their reports before 17 November, according to Punch.
Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Senate leader, announced that 32 state assemblies have given their green light to the constitutional bill creating state police, eight more than the minimum required. Parliament must now send the text to President Bola Tinubu for approval, he said.
The bill provides for a federal police service alongside state police forces, which would fundamentally change a policing system that has so far been centralised. The senator insisted that this is neither about creating state armies nor encouraging ethnic divisions, but about setting up community policing structures framed by the constitution. He also said the four remaining assemblies must submit their reports before proceedings resume on 17 November, without delaying the transmission of the bill.
The constitutional threshold requires the approval of two-thirds of the 36 state assemblies. Supporters of the reform believe it would allow governors to respond better to insecurity, which includes banditry, kidnappings, terrorism and communal violence. Its critics fear political interference, abuse of power by governors and funding constraints. The senator sees this as the culmination of more than fifteen years of unsuccessful attempts.
