Comrade Gbeyega Onadiran, Chairman of the House of Representatives Press Corps, has urged for robust measures to prevent the proposed state police from being misused by state governors for political gains. He made this appeal in Abuja during the 2nd Annual Distinguished Parliamentarian Lecture. The event, themed "The Imperative of State Police: Securing Communities, Strengthening Federalism," centered on the ongoing constitutional debate over establishing state police.
Onadiran emphasized that the security challenges facing Nigeria have made the discussion on state police a pressing reality for millions of citizens. While state police could bring policing closer to communities, its structure must ensure professionalism, accountability, and independence. He noted that as journalists covering the Parliament, they have witnessed lawmakers receiving distress calls from their constituencies regarding terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and farmer-herder conflicts.
According to Onadiran, over 50 percent of motions sponsored and considered by the House in the last 15 years were security-related. This underscores the urgency of finding lasting solutions to insecurity. The Press Corps Chairman called for effective oversight, sustainable funding, and institutional safeguards to prevent the abuse of the proposed policing system. He expressed hope that the lecture would generate recommendations to strengthen community security and Nigeria's federal system.
The National Assembly is currently considering the issue through the ongoing Constitution Alteration process. Simultaneously, the 36 State Houses of Assembly are also deliberating on the proposal. Onadiran believes that with the right structure and safeguards in place, state police can be an effective tool for securing communities and strengthening federalism in Nigeria.
Onadiran's call for safeguards against state police abuse comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with various security challenges. The country's insecurity situation has been a major concern for the government and citizens alike. The proposed state police system is seen as a potential solution to address these challenges and bring policing closer to communities.
The 2nd Annual Distinguished Parliamentarian Lecture provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss the implications of state police on Nigeria's federal system. The event aimed to generate recommendations that can inform the ongoing constitutional debate and ensure that the proposed state police system is effective and accountable.
The House of Representatives Press Corps Chairman's appeal for strong safeguards against state police abuse highlights the need for careful consideration of the proposed policing system. With the right measures in place, state police can help address Nigeria's security challenges and strengthen community policing. Key stakeholders will continue to engage in discussions to ensure that the proposed system is implemented in a way that prioritizes professionalism, accountability, and independence.
Key points
- Comrade Gbeyega Onadiran calls for strong safeguards to prevent state police abuse.
- Over 50 percent of motions sponsored by the House in the last 15 years were security-related.
- The National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly are deliberating on the proposed state police system.
