Follow Us on Google
The House of Representatives, on Monday, 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, which seeks to alter the Constitution to create a framework for the decentralisation of policing, enabling state governments to establish their own police forces.
However, on July 14, the House rescinded its decision on the State Police Bill following the presentation of a new state police bill forwarded to the parliament by President Tinubu.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.
Other News
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 His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed 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.”
