Tinubu Urges Senate to Amend Constitution for State Police

P President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appealed to the leadership of the 10th Senate to tinker with the Constitution to create a legal framework for the establishment of State Police as part of efforts to tackle insecurity across the country.

The President made the appeal on Wednesday during an interfaith breakfast with senators at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, stressing that the creation of State Police has become urgent in view of Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

According to him, decentralising the policing structure would strengthen grassroots security, enhance states’ capacity to respond swiftly to threats within their jurisdictions, and complement the existing federal security architecture through intelligence-led, community-focused law enforcement.

“We are facing terrorism, banditry, and insurgency. But we will never fail to make a right response to this cause. What I will ask for tonight is for you (Senators) 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, and free our children from fear,” Tinubu said.

He commended the cordial working relationship between the executive and the Senate, noting that unity among political leaders is critical to defeating terrorism and banditry.

“It is a good thing that we are working in harmony. We are looking forward to a country that evolves, a country that takes care of its citizens and protects all,” the President added.

Tinubu also thanked the Senate for its unwavering support for his administration’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy and tax reform initiatives, describing the decision to end the subsidy regime as a bold step against “monumental corruption.”

“We are reformists together. What we gave up and what we stopped is monumental corruption in the subsidy system. We don’t want to participate in monumental corruption and arbitrage foreign exchange,” he said, adding that Nigeria is now enjoying a more stable economy.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, commended Tinubu for hosting the Senate leadership to the interfaith breaking of fast and praised what he described as the President’s visionary leadership at a critical time.

Akpabio noted that the administration’s bold reforms have increased revenue allocations to sub-national governments, enabling governors to invest more in critical infrastructure. He also offered prayers for the success of the administration and for peace and prosperity in the country.