Nigeria's efforts to establish a more effective policing system have reached a critical phase with 30 out of 36 State Houses of Assembly approving a constitutional amendment to create state police. This number surpasses the required two-thirds majority of 24 states. However, discrepancies in the approval records of Abia and Kano states have raised concerns about the management of this significant reform.
The controversy began when Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele announced that 30 state legislatures had approved the amendment, listing six outstanding states as Benue, Oyo, Cross River, Niger, Abia, and Kano. However, Abia State quickly disputed this claim, stating that its State House of Assembly had already passed the bill to strengthen community-based policing and improve security.
Abia's Chief Press Secretary, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, described reports that the state had not approved the bill as inaccurate and misleading. The state government reaffirmed its readiness to work with the Federal Government and other states towards implementation. This development highlights a communication gap between the federal legislature and some state assemblies.
Kano State presented another issue, with Deputy President of the Senate Jibrin Barau stating that the Kano Assembly had submitted its response, which was being conveyed to the National Assembly. He acknowledged a delay but maintained that the legislature had done the needful. Senate President Godswill Akpabio welcomed the news, but the incident raised questions about the verification mechanisms in place.
The discrepancies pose uncomfortable questions about the management of the reform, including why Abia was listed as silent when its government claims the bill was passed, and why Kano's response was not fully processed. The issue is not just about meeting the threshold but also about ensuring that the process is transparent and reliable.
A constitutional amendment of this magnitude should not be managed through fragmented information, informal assurances, or last-minute interventions at plenary. The Clerk to the National Assembly and the clerks of the affected state legislatures should establish a reliable verification process to ensure the accuracy of the records.
The developments also raise fears of political abuse ahead of the 2027 elections, emphasizing the need for urgent safeguards to prevent the misuse of the new policing architecture. As the country moves forward with this significant reform, it is crucial to address the existing gaps and ensure that the process is transparent, reliable, and free from political interference.
Key points
- Discrepancies in the approval records of Abia and Kano states have raised concerns about the management of Nigeria's state police reform.
- The communication gap between the federal legislature and some state assemblies has highlighted the need for a reliable verification process.
- The reform's success depends on addressing existing gaps and ensuring a transparent and reliable process.
