The national dialogue on state policing has commenced in Abuja today, News About Nigeria reports.
The dialogue, which is being organised by the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, is said to be the beginning of deliberations on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (alteration) bill 2023 (Establishment of State Police), sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and 13 others.
Recall that in the notice issued by the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Akin Rotimi, he explained that the primary objective of this dialogue is to facilitate a comprehensive national discussion on the merits and challenges of state police, with a focus on aggregating citizens’ views and perspectives.
He also stated that the bill is designed to improve the safety of the public and strengthen law enforcement in Nigeria by decentralising the police.
He added that the proposal in the bill provides for state police alongside the federal police and outlines a constitutional framework for states that choose to establish and maintain their service.
While delivering his welcome address, Kalu, who chairs the House Constitution Review Committee, noted that the bill intends to clarify the scope of the powers and responsibilities of the federal and state police and to provide for their funding and oversight.
Dignitaries from across the country, including former Nigeria’s military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), ex-President, Goodluck Jonathan, and retired Catholic Archbishop John Onaiyekan, among others, are currently gathered in Abuja for the dialogue.
