Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele says the Senate will fast-track the constitutional amendment process for the creation of state police, expressing confidence that the proposal will “come to fruition this very week.”
He said the amendment would be sent to the 36 state Houses of Assembly immediately after passage and would dominate Senate proceedings this week. Bamidele made the disclosure in a statement issued yesterday by his media and public affairs directorate.
According to him, growing insecurity across the country has created broad agreement among key stakeholders on the need to decentralise policing.
He revealed that “there have been a series of meetings between the National Assembly. When I say the National Assembly, I mean Chairman, Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Barau I. Jibrin and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Benjamin Kalu, both of whom are representing the National Assembly.”
He added that the lawmakers had also met with the Attorney-General’s office, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Inspector-General of Police Mr. Tunji Disu and other stakeholders.
Bamidele said lawmakers separated the state police proposal from other constitutional amendment bills because of its urgency.
“Our position is very clear on state police. We are standing with Nigerians on the issue of state police,” he said, adding that lawmakers had resolved to pass the amendment without further delay.
He explained that after National Assembly approval, the bill would go to the state assemblies, where support from at least two-thirds would be required before President Bola Tinubu could sign it into law.
“The president is also with us on this proposal. I am sure he cannot wait for the bill to come to him for assent,” Bamidele said, expressing confidence in support from governors and state assemblies.
Meanwhile, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila recently said President Tinubu would soon receive a report on the proposed state police framework as consultations near completion.
