?Warns of implementation dangers

By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

A governorship aspirant of the Labour Party (LP), in Anambra State, Mr. John Nwosu, has described the new Anambra Homeland Security Law 2025 passed into law by the state House of Assembly as being belated.

He also noted that the law can only achieve its purpose if faithfully implemented and certain oblique provisions of the law are not abused.

Nwosu in a statement made available to journalists in Awka said: ?It boggles the mind, however, that in passing the law, the ANSG did not acknowledge and accept its primary constitutional ?responsibility to protect? Anambra State citizens and residents.

He observed that the Soludo Administration has continued to exhibit its cluelessness in matters of governance, saying: ?We hope that the implementation of this law will not overreach.

?Such an oversight is telling and unfurls the prevailing didactic leadership mindset.

?In governance, language matters. There is a vast difference between the State recognising the critical need and acknowledging its constitutional role; or acting in keeping with its constitutional responsibility.

?As the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), states in Section 14 (2) ?the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government?.?

According to Nwosu, the implicit and explicit lack reference or acknowledgement of government?s functions in this regard, and coupled with the fact that most tasks under the law devolves on the local governments, traditional rulers, municipalities, communities and private security companies is rather troubling. Talk of passing the buck!

He noted that the greater danger will emanate from the functions that private security companies may be arrogated to and relevant government agencies to enhance security operations, even with the guardrail checks provided.

He cited the prevailing crisis of wanton brutality and dehumanization being meted out by private companies acting as agents of ANSG in the tax collection and waste management sectors as an aspect that should have informed the need for better clarity in the definition of the role of armed private security companies.

?Once again, and presumably with the best of intentions, the Soludo Administration continues to exhibit its cluelessness in matters of governance. We hope that the implementation of this law will not overreach, thus further compounding a deeply troubling security situation in the state.

?The Nigeria Constitution is the Supreme Law. Issues on which it has made pronouncements must be respected both in the letter and spirit by the states,? he said.