The House of Representatives is set to vote on Thursday on constitutional amendments aimed at establishing state police as a measure to address the country's escalating insecurity. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who also chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review, made this announcement on Wednesday during a press briefing at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.
Priority on Security Reforms
Kalu emphasized that the House has prioritized security-related constitutional changes, particularly the creation of state police. He noted that lawmakers are committed to using legislative tools to support the executive branch's efforts to protect lives and property. According to Kalu, the National Assembly has identified the current policing structure as a limiting factor in effectively responding to security threats nationwide.
Stakeholder Consultations
Extensive consultations with key stakeholders, including the Inspector-General of Police, state governors, and the executive arm, have resulted in broad support for the establishment of state police. Kalu stated, "We have discovered that leaving the law as it is will not give us the expectations Nigerians have regarding the issue of insecurity. Therefore, we decided to prioritize security-related reforms through constitutional amendment, targeting policing."
Constitutional Amendments Required
The Deputy Speaker explained that relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution, including Section 214, would need to be amended to accommodate the proposed state police structure. He expressed confidence that the proposal would secure the support of lawmakers during Thursday's voting session and subsequently receive backing from state legislatures.
"We are here to announce to Nigerians that hope is coming. Hope for a better response time to incidents of crime is here. We have decided that by tomorrow we will be voting on the Constitution, and in that process we will be prioritizing state police," he said.
Dismissing Opposition Reports
Kalu dismissed reports suggesting efforts to frustrate the proposal, insisting that the House remains united in its resolve to push the amendment through. "We have read a lot of things in the news that people are trying to stop it. No. The Parliament is marching forward and by tomorrow we will be concluding on this. This is what we have come to inform Nigerians that hope is here and by tomorrow state police will make it into our constitutional amendment," he added.
Call for Lawmakers' Attendance
The Deputy Speaker also called on members of the House currently on oversight assignments across the country to return to Abuja ahead of Thursday's sitting. He described the vote as critical to the nation's security architecture and urged lawmakers to be present to demonstrate the House's commitment to addressing insecurity through legislative action.
Kalu expressed optimism that state governors and Houses of Assembly would support the amendment when transmitted for ratification, paving the way for presidential assent.
