President Bola Tinubu has urged the National Assembly to initiate constitutional reforms that would pave the way for the creation of state police, describing the move as critical to confronting Nigeria’s worsening security situation.
The President made the call on Wednesday night while hosting members of the Senate to an interfaith breaking of fast at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He said the country’s security architecture must evolve to effectively address terrorism, banditry and insurgency, which he noted continue to threaten communities nationwide.
According to Tinubu, decentralising policing through constitutional amendment would help states reclaim forests from criminal groups and restore a sense of safety for citizens, particularly children living in fear due to persistent attacks. He appealed to lawmakers to begin consultations on how best to amend the Constitution to accommodate the new structure.
The President commended senators for what he described as their consistent backing of security-related measures and expressed confidence that the collaboration between the executive and legislature would continue.
His remarks followed a similar assurance he gave earlier in the week during an Iftar with state governors, where he pledged that the establishment of state police would not be delayed.
The debate over state police has intensified in recent months, with many governors, traditional leaders and security experts arguing that the current centralised policing system under the Nigeria Police Force is overstretched and ill-equipped to respond swiftly to local threats across the 36 states.
Tinubu also responded to allegations that his administration is weakening opposition parties through defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress. Dismissing the claims, he said political realignments were voluntary decisions by individuals.
He further stressed the need for unity among political leaders to confront insecurity and sustain democratic governance. The President credited the National Assembly for supporting major economic reforms introduced by his administration, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market.
