President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the House of Representatives to fast-track a constitutional amendment for state police, stressing that strict safeguards must be embedded to prevent abuse by state governors.
Speaking during an interfaith Iftar with lawmakers at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Tinubu said security challenges in Nigeria require localized solutions.
According to him, “security is local,” and reforms must reflect the realities faced by communities battling insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and separatist violence.
The President emphasized that the proposed state police structure should not be a “free fall,” referencing concerns from Nigeria’s First Republic when regional police were allegedly misused to intimidate political opponents.
He called on lawmakers to design a framework with checks and balances that will prevent politicisation and protect civil liberties.
Tinubu’s renewed push follows similar appeals to state governors and the Senate earlier in the week.
The reform momentum comes amid ongoing insecurity across the country and ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The creation of state police requires a constitutional amendment, which must secure a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the National Assembly and approval from at least 24 state Houses of Assembly.
Security reform has gained backing from governors, traditional rulers, and civil society groups who argue that Nigeria’s centralised policing system is overstretched.
Supporters believe state-controlled policing will enhance rapid response, intelligence gathering, and community-based security management.
However, critics warn about potential political interference, funding constraints for states, and possible clashes between federal and state security agencies.
Tinubu also commended lawmakers for supporting key economic reforms, including fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate adjustments, despite public criticism.
As the National Assembly prepares to resume plenary in March 2026, the debate over state police constitutional reform is expected to dominate Nigeria’s political and security landscape.
