ABUJA, Nigeria — Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has assured Nigerians that the National Assembly is embedding constitutional safeguards in the state police bill to prevent governors from weaponising the proposed security structure for political repression or personal interests.
Bamidele gave the assurance on Wednesday while addressing journalists at the National Assembly, following the passage of the constitutional amendment bill by both chambers of the federal legislature. He stressed that the lawmakers were fully aware of public concerns about the potential abuse of state police by governors and had taken steps to address them.
According to the Senate Leader, the bill contains provisions that establish State Police Service Commissions responsible for recruitment, discipline, and oversight of state police personnel. He noted that these commissions would be insulated from executive control, ensuring that governors cannot unilaterally hire, fire, or direct officers for political purposes.
Bamidele also disclosed that the bill grants the Federal Police Service authority to intervene in state policing under exceptional circumstances, subject to presidential authorisation, Senate oversight, and judicial review. He described this layered accountability mechanism as a crucial safeguard against potential abuse.
“The National Assembly is not naive about the risks that come with decentralising police authority. We have built multiple safeguards into this legislation to ensure that state police serve the people, not the whims of any governor,” Bamidele said.
The Senate Leader further noted that the bill mandates financial autonomy for state police commands, with funding allocations subject to legislative approval at the state level. This provision, he argued, would prevent governors from using budgetary control to influence police operations or coerce officers into political compliance.
Bamidele also addressed concerns raised by civil society organisations and legal experts who have called for additional safeguards, including civilian oversight boards and mandatory reporting mechanisms. He assured that the National Assembly would consider further amendments during the ratification process to strengthen accountability and transparency.
The Senate Leader acknowledged that the state police bill has generated significant debate across the country, with some stakeholders expressing fears that governors could exploit the new structure to intimidate opponents or rig elections. He maintained that the safeguards embedded in the bill would address these concerns and ensure that the reform strengthens security rather than undermining democratic governance.
The constitutional amendment bill, which has been passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, now awaits ratification by at least two-thirds of the 36 state Houses of Assembly before it can be forwarded to President Bola Tinubu for presidential assent. Bamidele called on state legislators to carefully review the provisions and prioritise the interests of their constituents.
As the ratification process unfolds, the Senate Leader’s assurances are expected to reassure Nigerians anxious about the potential for political abuse of state police. For now, the National Assembly has made its position clear: state police will be established with robust constitutional safeguards to protect citizens and uphold democratic principles.
