State Police: Arise urges Presidency to win public buy-in ahead of constitution amendment
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ayodele Arise, has urged the Presidency to embark on robust public enlightenment and stakeholder engagement to secure nationwide support for the
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ayodele Arise, has urged the Presidency to embark on robust public enlightenment and stakeholder engagement to secure nationwide support for the proposed introduction of state police through constitutional amendment.
Arise spoke on Saturday during a live programme on Arise TV, against the backdrop of renewed calls by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to accommodate state policing.
At an interfaith breaking of fast with the leadership and members of the Senate at the State House, Abuja, during the week, Tinubu said the time had come for lawmakers to “start thinking” about embedding state police in the Constitution to enable subnational governments better secure their territories.
“Nigeria is extremely challenged; we are facing terrorism, banditry, insurgency, but you never failed to make the right response to these calls. What I will ask 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 said.
He reiterated the call on Friday during a meeting with the leadership of the House of Representatives.
Responding, Arise said effective communication of the benefits of state policing was critical, recalling that the issue had historically generated controversy, with sections of the country opposing it.
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“In the interest of our country and in response to the security challenges that we have been facing, President Tinubu has always seen the merit in state policing, which is actually the best way that we can deter criminals and their cells that exist in our communities without even knowing it,” he said.
He argued that local police would be better positioned to identify and respond swiftly to security threats.
“The local police are easily able to identify a strange situation and put intelligence to work, do their investigation before criminals are able to do damage because they are trained to know everybody; they relate with everyone like a family. So that has been the major attraction of state and local policing,” he added.
Arise expressed confidence that the National Assembly would not pose a stumbling block to the proposal, describing the President as strategic in navigating legislative processes.
“I don’t see any problem with the National Assembly. I will only encourage a lot of education about the pros and cons of state police to be done in terms of marketing to those who were initially opposed to it,” he said.
He recalled that a similar proposal met resistance during the 2010 constitutional amendment process, but noted that worsening insecurity had altered public perception.
“People have seen the benefits of having security because lives are being threatened, communities are being almost annihilated, and we see attacks everywhere. Nobody wants to waste their life,” he said.
On the legal pathway, Arise suggested amending Section 214 of the Constitution and moving policing to the Concurrent List.
“That will solve the problem. The Federal Government will have its police, while the states can have theirs. People must understand that the fact that we have state police does not completely erase the Federal Police,” he said.
He explained that once the amendment is passed by the National Assembly, it would require ratification by two-thirds of the 36 state Houses of Assembly.
“As we all know, we need two-thirds majority of the 36 states for this to happen. There will still be public hearings, and anybody who believes it is not good for the country should come forward so we can debate it,” he said.
On the timeline, the former lawmaker expressed optimism that the amendment and subsequent establishment of state police could be achieved within months, citing the ruling party’s majority in the National Assembly and control of most states.
“Security can’t wait another month or another year. Once the bill gets to the table of the Clerk, I believe the Senate President will go into action, and committees will begin discussions. Yes, it will take months, but with commitment, it can be done,” he said, noting that training, equipping personnel and defining the relationship between federal and state police formations would follow.
Addressing concerns that governors might abuse state police to intimidate political opponents, Arise called for the establishment of an oversight commission comprising members of the judiciary, civil society and other stakeholders to check excesses.
“The same powers the state police will have are what the Federal Police has now, but we have checks and balances. There can be a commission to oversee the activities of the police within the states. Human rights groups are everywhere and can fight for the rights of individuals,” he said.
He added that technological measures such as body cameras and the installation of CCTV in interrogation rooms could further curb abuses, stressing that governors who violate human rights could still be held accountable after leaving office.
“In advanced countries, abuses happen, but there are mechanisms to address them. Things can be organised in such a way that everybody’s interest is accommodated,” Arise said.
He maintained that improved security was fundamental to development.
“There can be development when we have security. People will be able to think about the development of their communities. Whatever the President can do to guarantee the security of the lives and property of Nigerians is in the best interest of the country,” he added.
