The Labour Party (LP) has endorsed the proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria, applauding the Senate for passing the Constitution Alteration Bill and urging governors and state Houses of Assembly to support the reform.
The party described the Senate’s approval of the bill as a major milestone in efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and bring law enforcement closer to local communities.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Ken Asogwa, commended the National Assembly, particularly the Senate, for what he described as a display of courage, patriotism and urgency in advancing the legislation.
“The Labour Party commends the National Assembly, particularly the Senate, for its courage, swiftness and sense of patriotism in passing the State Police Bill recently transmitted to it by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Asogwa said.
According to the party, Nigerians across the country have for years demanded a more effective and responsive policing framework capable of addressing the growing security challenges confronting the nation.
The LP noted that the current centralised policing system has struggled to adequately respond to the diverse security threats facing various regions of the country.
“For years, Nigerians across all regions have clamoured for a more effective and responsive policing architecture capable of addressing the growing and increasingly complex security challenges confronting the nation.
“The passage of this Bill therefore represents a significant step towards strengthening internal security and bringing law enforcement closer to the people,” Asogwa stated.
The party acknowledged concerns raised by critics who fear that state governors could abuse state police structures for political purposes.
However, it maintained that the realities of Nigeria’s security situation justify the decentralisation of policing powers.
“While the Party acknowledges the concerns expressed in certain quarters regarding the possibility of abuse of the state police system, especially in view of our experience with State Independent Electoral Commissions and allegations of undue interference by some state governors, the realities of contemporary Nigeria make a compelling case for a decentralised policing structure,” he said.
Asogwa argued that the constitutional safeguards incorporated into the amendment bill provide adequate mechanisms to prevent abuse and ensure accountability.
He specifically highlighted provisions contained in Section 17 of the proposed amendment, which he said establish checks and balances against arbitrary control of state police by state executives.
“The Labour Party is particularly encouraged by the constitutional safeguards embedded in the amendment Bill, especially the provisions contained in Section 17, which establish clear mechanisms to prevent abuse and ensure accountability in the operation of state police.
“These safeguards, if faithfully implemented, should serve as effective checks against arbitrary control or misuse of the system by any state executive,” he said.
The party further noted that no policing system is entirely free from challenges but stressed that the shortcomings of the existing federal policing arrangement make reforms necessary.
“The Party further notes that no policing model is perfect. However, given the evident limitations of the current centralised policing arrangement in adequately securing a vast and diverse country such as Nigeria, there is an urgent need to embrace innovative approaches and fresh ideas capable of improving security outcomes for citizens,” Asogwa added.
The Labour Party also called on state governors and lawmakers across the federation to place national security above political interests as the bill proceeds to the next stage of the constitutional amendment process.
“As the bill now awaits the concurrence of the State Houses of Assembly before being transmitted to the President for assent, the Labour Party calls on governors and state lawmakers across the 36 states of the federation to rise above partisan considerations and lend their support to this important constitutional reform in the overriding interest of national security and public safety,” he stated.
The party expressed confidence that, if properly implemented, state policing would improve community security, enhance crime prevention and strengthen Nigeria’s federal structure.
“We believe that with proper oversight, transparency and adherence to constitutional provisions, state policing can become a vital instrument for combating crime, enhancing community security and strengthening the federation,” Asogwa said.
The Senate on Wednesday passed the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish state police after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support during a manual voting exercise.
The legislation was approved following a clause-by-clause consideration during plenary after the presentation of a report by the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.
Under the proposed amendment, state governments would be empowered to establish and maintain police services within their jurisdictions, while the Nigeria Police Force would continue to handle national security responsibilities, including terrorism, border protection and other federal offences.
Before becoming law, the bill must secure the approval of at least 24 state Houses of Assembly and subsequently receive presidential assent.
