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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives has commenced consideration of the State Police Bill forwarded to the parliament by President Bola Tinubu, as part of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, while speaking at a meeting of the House Committee on Constitution Review, said the Green chamber may adopt the Senate version of the bill.
The House had, on June 11, passed the State Police Bill, seeking to alter the constitution to create a framework for the decentralisation of policing, so that state governments can establish their own police force.
However, the House, on July 14, rescinded its decision on the State Police Bill, following the presentation of a new bill forwarded to the parliament by President Tinubu. The Executive Bill was subsequently taken through first and second readings and referred to the Committee on Constitution Review.
Kalu explained that given the critical nature of national security, the President was in a better position to propose comprehensive legislation capable of addressing the country’s prevailing security challenges.
According to him, “the bill has been referred to this Committee and the Committee is not just the Deputy Speaker and the Deputy Chairman. The Committee is you and I. Our responsibility is to carefully scrutinise this legislation and ensure that it reflects the aspirations and expectations of the Nigerian people.
“I must emphasise that the State Police Bill remains one of the signature constitutional reform initiatives of President Bola Tinubu. As Governor of Lagos State, he was among the earliest advocates of multi-layered policing as a strategic solution to Nigeria’s security challenges. Today, as President, he is championing the same cause, demonstrating consistency between his convictions and his actions.
“As we have always argued, although we are three arms of government, we are one government. There is a national objective and all we do is align ourselves with it, especially when that objective is in the best interest of Nigerians. Today, there is a national consensus that security must remain at the forefront of governance and both the Executive and the Legislature are committed to achieving that objective.”
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He noted that lawmakers convened on a Monday outside the House’s traditional Tuesday parliamentary sitting, owing to the urgency of the proposed legislation, especially against the backdrop of the security situation in the country.
Kalu, who stated that the House may adopt the Senate version of the bill, with slight adjustments where necessary, noted that the two chambers were working in synergy to fasttrack the constitution review process.
“We are here today not because it is convenient for us. Our parliamentary week ordinarily begins on Tuesday, but duty calls and time is of essence. We are joining hands with the Executive to ensure that this collaborative effort results in the successful passage of this priority constitutional amendment.
“Historically, the House and the Senate are working in tandem to ensure this significant constitutional amendment is achieved. I am confident that once it returns to the Executive, it will receive expeditious assent,” the Deputy Speaker stated.
He added that “following the clause-by-clause consideration, the Executive Bill is substantially similar to what we have previously worked on, with only minor adjustments. Therefore, we do not anticipate any major departure from the work already undertaken.”
According to him, the Senate introduced about eight minor amendments, which the House Committee would carefully examine with a view to adopting them where appropriate.
“You will see the introduction of Section 318 dealing with interpretation, as well as transitional and saving provisions to facilitate the implementation and operationalisation of the State Police framework, together with other consequential amendments.
“The Senate also introduced about eight minor clauses with slight adjustments that are not too significant. So, as we proceed with this amendment process, we shall take into consideration the work already done by the Senate and adopt it where applicable,” Kalu said.
