STATE POLICE: ARODIOGBU LAUDS ASSEMBLIES FOR PROMPT LEGISLATIVE ACTION

The National Vice Chairman (South East) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, has commended the 24 State Houses of Assembly that have so far passed the State Police constitutional amendment bill, describing their prompt action as a patriotic and decisive step towards a more effective security architecture in Nigeria.

Prof. Arodiogbu noted that the approval by 24 state legislatures has met the constitutional two-thirds threshold required under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). He said the development reflects a growing national consensus on the urgent need to decentralise policing and bring security closer to the people. Presstv News Nigeria can report

“We commend the 24 State Houses of Assembly for their prompt and progressive passage of the State Police Bill,” Arodiogbu said. “Their decisive action has moved this critical reform past a major constitutional hurdle. It demonstrates that our state legislators understand the security challenges facing their communities and are ready to support solutions that will make policing more responsive, accountable and effective.”

The APC South East leader stressed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains firmly committed to decentralising the policing system as a core strategy for ending insecurity across the country. He described the State Police initiative as a key component of the President’s broader security reforms aimed at tackling banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other forms of criminality.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently shown that he is determined to end insecurity in Nigeria,” Arodiogbu stated. “The decentralisation of policing is a practical and far-reaching measure designed to address the peculiar security challenges of each state, improve rapid response, strengthen intelligence at the grassroots, and ensure that law enforcement is more efficient and community-oriented. This is a major step in the right direction.”,

Arodiogbu explained that with the constitutional threshold now met, the approved resolutions will be returned to the National Assembly. The amendment will then be transmitted to President Tinubu for assent, in line with the constitutional process. Once assented to, it will provide the legal foundation for the establishment of State Police Services to operate alongside the Federal Police.

He noted that the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill is also advancing the complementary National Policing Bill, which will provide the operational framework, standards, and safeguards for the dual policing system.

Prof. Arodiogbu called on the remaining State Assemblies yet to conclude their consideration of the bill to expedite action in the overall interest of national security. He also urged traditional institutions, community leaders, civil society and all stakeholders to support the smooth implementation of the reform once the legal processes are completed.

Reaffirming the commitment of the APC in the South East to the progressive policies of the Tinubu administration, Arodiogbu said the State Police reform would deliver tangible security benefits to citizens across the region and the nation at large, while deepening true federalism and enhancing the protection of lives and property.