President Bola Tinubu has formally asked the National Assembly to commence the process of amending the constitution to provide for the establishment of state police, describing the move as critical to addressing Nigeria's worsening security crisis. The President made the appeal on Wednesday night during an interfaith breaking of fast with members of the Senate at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Tinubu said Nigeria was "extremely challenged" by terrorism, banditry and insurgency, stressing that decentralising policing powers had become necessary to restore safety across the country. He urged lawmakers to begin the legislative groundwork needed to alter the 1999 Constitution.
“What I am asking for tonight is for you to start thinking how best to amend the constitution to incorporate the state police for us to secure our country, take over our forests from marauders, free our children from fear,” the President stated.
He commended senators for what he described as consistent and critical support for his administration’s security and reform initiatives. “You never fail to make the right response to these calls. All the critical support that I’ve enjoyed, I promise that I will continue to enjoy it and will not take you for granted,” Tinubu said.
The latest appeal came days after a similar assurance to state governors during an Iftar dinner earlier in the week, where he pledged that the creation of state police would not be delayed. “What I promise you is not to be postponed. We will establish state police to combat insecurity,” he had declared.
Calls for state police have intensified nationwide, with governors, traditional rulers and security experts arguing that Nigeria’s centralised policing system is overstretched and ill-suited to tackle localised threats across the 36 states. Currently, policing remains under the exclusive control of the federal government through the Nigeria Police Force.
Critics of the existing structure contend that it has struggled to effectively respond to banditry, kidnappings and insurgent attacks in various regions. However, the establishment of state police would require a constitutional amendment passed by a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the National Assembly and ratified by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly.
Supporters argue that state-controlled police formations would enable governors to respond more swiftly to security threats and strengthen community policing. Opponents, however, warn of possible abuse by state executives, politicisation of law enforcement and the financial burden of maintaining separate police forces in all states.
Beyond security, the President addressed allegations that his administration was stifling opposition politics amid recent defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress. Dismissing the claims, he said critics were entitled to their views.
“What they call you, any name, any nickname, critics must talk. When they accused me of killing opposition, I didn’t have a gun. I could have given myself a license when I had the authority, but I can’t blame anybody for jumping out of a sinking ship,” the President stated.
Tinubu urged political leaders to close ranks in confronting terrorism and banditry, emphasising national unity as essential to preserving constitutional democracy. “We should pull together, unite in a way that our forefathers contemplated to bring about a constitutional democracy. It’s a good thing that we are working in harmony. We are looking for a country that evolves, that takes care of citizens and protects all of us,” he said.
He also credited the National Assembly for backing key economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and foreign exchange market unification. “I have a lot of credit for bold reforms. Without your collaboration, without your inspiration, those reforms are not possible. We are reformists together,” he stated.
Defending the subsidy removal, the President described the previous regime as riddled with “monumental corruption.” “What we gave up and what we stopped is monumental corruption in subsidies. We gave it up. We don’t want to participate in monumental corruption, in arbitrage, or in foreign exchange. You don’t have to chase me for dollars like in the past,” he said, adding that Nigeria was now experiencing economic stability and renewed prospects. He further highlighted the rare convergence of Ramadan and Lent as a period of reflection and unity, saying, “The season of reflection, sacrifice, compassion and national unity is reflected by you tonight. And I don’t take it lightly.”