State police bill passes second reading at house of reps

A bill seeking to establish state police has passed second reading at the house of representatives.

Sponsored by Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the house, and 14 others, the bill proposes to transfer the term “police” in the 1999 constitution from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent legislative list.

The bill, which comprises 18 clauses, seeks to amend sections 34, 35, 39, 42, 84, 89, 129, 153, 197, 214, 215 and 216 of the constitution.

On February 15, the federal government set up a committee to explore the creation of state police, amid the spate of insecurity in the country.

THE DEBATES

Leading the debate on the bill, Muktar Shagaya from Kwara, said the proposed legislation “seeks to navigate the complex landscape of security challenges” by empowering states with the means to “address issues unique to their localities”.

“This proposed alteration represents not just a legal adjustment to our grundnorm, but a visionary leap towards a safer, more secure, and harmonious Nigeria,” Shagaya added.

Supporting the bill, Ahmed Jaha from Borno, said it is the responsibility of the police to provide internal security and not the Nigerian Army.

He asked his colleagues to put “sentiments aside” and support the bill.

Babajimi Benson from Lagos said the police should be licensed the way universities are licensed.

“We should find a way of licensing the police so that any state that believe they have the funding and meet the conditions of the licence, they can be obliged,” he said.

Aliyu Madaki from Kano said even though he opposed the bill during the previous assembly, it is now important to have state police.

“Our reasoning then was that state governors would abuse the state police. As we speak today, Nigeria is on fire,” he said.

The lawmaker said state police would enable each state take charge of their security.

Speaking against the bill, Sada Soli from Katsina said some states are not financially viable for state police.

He said while the bill is noble, it can be an instrument for persecuting the opposition.

Following the extended debate, Kalu put the bill to a voice vote and the ‘ayes’ had it.

This is not the first the bill is being considered by lawmakers. Attempts to pass the bill in the eight and ninth assemblies met a brick wall.

Since it is a constitutional amendment bill, it has to get the support of state assemblies to sail through.