By NAOMI SHARANG

The Senate has resolved to accelerate the constitutional amendment process for the establishment of state police as part of efforts to address Nigeria’s security challenges.

The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this while speaking with journalists in Abuja on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the creation of state police has remained one of the most debated issues in Nigeria’s constitutional and security discourse, amid growing concerns over insecurity and the effectiveness of the centrally controlled policing system.

Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District, said the National Assembly was responding to widespread calls by Nigerians for state police as a practical solution to the country’s security challenges.

“Our position is very clear on state police. We are standing with Nigerians on the issue of state police,” he said.

According to him, consultations conducted across the country revealed broad support for decentralising policing powers, adding that there is no better time than now to establish state police.

He said the National Assembly was committed to translating the aspirations of Nigerians into law through the constitutional amendment process.

“We came to the conclusion that we are going to pass the constitutional amendment to make provision for state police.

“As of today, that will come to fruition this week because there is no need for any further delay,” he said.

Bamidele said extensive consultations had been held with members of the National Assembly, security agencies and the Presidency to build consensus on the proposal.

He added that the constitutional review team, led by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, had also engaged key stakeholders, including the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Chief of Staff to the President and the Inspector-General of Police.

According to him, lawmakers have decided to separate the state police proposal from other constitutional amendment bills to facilitate its speedy passage.

“It is going to be the most important issue we will be dealing with this week. What we have resolved to do is isolate it from the rest of the constitutional amendment bills so that we can vote on it as soon as possible,” he said.

The Senate leader explained that once passed by the National Assembly, the bill would be transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly for approval by at least two-thirds before being forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for assent.

He expressed confidence that the proposal would receive the required support, noting that many governors had already endorsed the initiative.

“The President is also with us and cannot wait for the bill to come for assent. The majority of governors are in support of this bill and their state assemblies are equally waiting for it.

“We will trigger that process within the week,” Bamidele said. (NAN)

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