By Nathaniel Irobi
The Labour Party (LP) has endorsed the passage of the State Police Bill by the Senate, describing the development as a “significant step” toward addressing Nigeria’s escalating security challenges.
In a press release issued on Thursday, the party commended the National Assembly, particularly the Senate, for what it termed “courage, swiftness and sense of patriotism” in passing the constitutional amendment bill recently transmitted to it by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The party, however, cautioned that the reform must now clear its final legislative hurdle, urging governors and lawmakers across the 36 state Houses of Assembly to rise above partisan considerations and ratify the bill without delay.
“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,” the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, stated.
The bill, which now awaits concurrence by state legislatures before transmission to the President for assent, has reignited a long-standing national debate over the effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force’s centralised command structure.
Proponents argue that state-controlled police forces would respond more swiftly to localised threats, including banditry, kidnapping, and communal clashes, which have overwhelmed federal resources. Critics, however, have warned that state governors could weaponise the force against political opponents, citing past irregularities with State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) as a cautionary precedent.
Acknowledging these concerns, the Labour Party pointed to constitutional safeguards embedded in the amendment, particularly provisions in Section 17, which it said establish “clear mechanisms to prevent abuse and ensure accountability.”
“No policing model is perfect,” Mr. Asogwa added. “However, 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.”
The Senate’s passage of the bill marks the first time either chamber of the National Assembly has voted favourably on the creation of sub-national police forces since Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999.
Analysts say the bill’s ultimate fate now rests with state assemblies, where political alignments and regional security dynamics are expected to shape the intensity of debate in the coming weeks.
The Labour Party, which has maintained a strong opposition voice in the National Assembly, reiterated its belief that the reform, if properly implemented, would bring law enforcement closer to the people and improve public trust in security institutions.
Discussion about this post