Amend constitution for state police — but guard against abuse, Tinubu tells reps

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the House of Representatives to amend the 1999 Constitution to pave the way for the creation of state police, stressing that safeguards must be built into the system to prevent misuse.

The president made the appeal on Friday while hosting members of the green chamber to an interfaith breaking of fast at the State House in Abuja.

Tinubu said the establishment of a decentralised policing structure has become imperative in addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges, noting that security issues are largely local in nature.

“I see some of you on television going to your localities and facing challenges. Now you know, more than anybody else, that security is local,” he said.

“If security is local, we just have to work together to put pressure on our people to accept the need for state police.”

The president explained that state police would complement the existing federal security architecture and enhance intelligence-driven, community-based law enforcement.

However, he cautioned lawmakers against creating a system that could be abused.

“Amend it, not a straight free fall for everybody. Tie it in a way that will not be abused, like in the past,” Tinubu advised.

“A good legislature must learn from the past to cure the present. On that, I am ready to work with you.”

The National Assembly is currently reviewing proposals for amendments to the 1999 Constitution but has yet to vote on the relevant alteration bills.

Tinubu also praised the lawmakers for supporting his administration’s key reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira.

“It was very difficult at the beginning for people to realise the direction of my thinking,” he said.

“None of you came to me to ask if I can reverse the removal of the subsidy or change the foreign exchange floatation of the naira.

“You collaborated and joined me as a team. You inspired me to move on because the heat was a high voltage from critics, but today we are better off for it.”

The president had earlier made a similar appeal during a meeting with members of the Senate.