ORJI KALU: TINUBU’S STATE POLICE PROPOSAL HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH 2027 ELECTIONS
Read Time:2 Minute, 44 Second
By: Muftau Fatimo
Senator representing Abia North, Orji Kalu, has dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu’s push for the establishment of state police is politically motivated ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the President’s primary concern is the safety and security of Nigerians.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Sunday, Kalu said Tinubu has consistently made it clear that his support for the proposed constitutional amendment is aimed at tackling the country’s worsening security challenges rather than gaining any political advantage ahead of the next general election.
According to Kalu, the President’s interest in state policing stems from his commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture and ensuring the protection of lives and property across the country.
“I want to correct one impression. President Tinubu is not pushing this law because of the 2027 election. From what he has explained to us, and to me personally, he is concerned about the safety of Nigerian people. His interest in state police is driven by the need to improve security and protect citizens,” Kalu said.
The former Abia State Governor explained that the first step towards establishing state police is for state Houses of Assembly to approve constitutional amendments removing the provision that recognises only one police force in the country.
According to him, once the constitutional amendment is completed, the National Assembly will move to amend the Police Act to provide the legal framework for the operation of the state police.
“If the State Houses of Assembly amend those sections today, it gives us the opportunity to go to the second stage, which is bringing an Act to amend the Police Act,” he said.
Kalu added that the proposed legislation would address issues such as the powers of governors, modes of appointment, operational procedures, and other governance structures for state police.
The most important thing is for the State Houses of Assembly to amend that section of the Constitution that makes it mandatory that there shall be one police force, which is the Nigeria Police Force. Amend it to provide for federal police services and state police services.
“Once we finish that, we’ll enter the second stage, which is amending the Police Act,” he added.
The media reports that the push for state police has gained momentum amid worsening insecurity across the country.
Section 214(1) of the 1999 Constitution currently provides for only one police force, the Nigeria Police Force, meaning the creation of state police requires a constitutional amendment approved by two-thirds of the National Assembly and ratified by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly.
As part of the ongoing constitutional review, the Senate and House of Representatives have passed the state police amendment bill and transmitted it to the 36 state Houses of Assembly for concurrence.
President Bola Tinubu and the National Economic Council, comprising the 36 state governors and chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, have endorsed the establishment of a state police.
Once the constitutional amendment secures the required approval from the states, the National Assembly will amend the Police Act, 2020, to provide the legal framework for state police, including their powers, command structure, funding, relationship with the Federal Police Service, governors’ roles, and safeguards against political abuse
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