Former House of Representatives member, Kayode Oladele, says the National Assembly’s passage of the State Police Constitutional Alteration Bill is a necessary step to address Nigeria’s rising insecurity.
Oladele, a legal practitioner and ex-Acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, described the Bill as a constitutional response to gaps in the current centralised policing model.
He spoke during an interview over the weekend, stressing that although the Bill must still secure approval from two-thirds of State Houses of Assembly and receive presidential assent, its scaling of both Senate and House of Representatives is already a significant development in Nigeria’s constitutional process.
The former federal lawmaker said Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution places the security and welfare of citizens as government’s primary duty, but noted that terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and communal clashes have shown that a single police structure cannot police a country as large and diverse as Nigeria.
He said, “There can be no meaningful development without security. Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution clearly provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.
“The increasing incidence of terrorism, kidnapping, armed banditry, communal conflicts, farmer-herder clashes and other violent crimes has demonstrated that the existing policing structure requires urgent constitutional review.
“The proposal should be viewed as a constitutional response to contemporary security realities rather than a political concession. Federalism requires the meaningful devolution of governmental responsibilities in a manner that promotes efficiency, accountability and responsiveness,” he added.
Oladele also commended operatives of the Nigeria Police Force for their commitment and sacrifices in the face of enormous operational challenges, adding that the demand for State Police should not be interpreted as a criticism of the institution but as a recognition of the need to modernise Nigeria’s security framework.
The former lawmaker explained that the Constitution Alteration Bill envisages a dual policing structure comprising a Federal Police Service and State Police Services, noting that the legislation does not compel every state to establish its own police organisation.
According to him, each state would be required to enact its own enabling law before establishing a State Police Service, while complying with nationally prescribed standards on recruitment, training, discipline, operations and accountability.
Meanwhile, he acknowledged concerns over the possible abuse of State Police by state governments but maintained that such fears should not derail a reform that has become necessary.
He expressed optimism that the reform, if implemented properly, would deliver a security system that is closer to the people and more responsive to local threats.
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