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…say legislation expressly bars state police from being used for partisan political

By Gloria Ikibah

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has defended the proposed State Police Bill, insisting that concerns over possiblekal abuse by state governors should not stand in the way of a reform he believes will significantly strengthen security across the country.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Friday after returning from a week-long engagement at Chatham House and the London Climate Action Week in the United Kingdom, Kalu said the constitutional amendment was carefully drafted with safeguards to prevent the misuse of state policing.

According to him, while fears surrounding political interference are understandable, the benefits of decentralising policing far outweigh the risks.

He said: “The fear of a minor percentage of risk should not stop Nigerians from enjoying the major percentage of benefits that is found in that bill.

“Let me ask this question: How many governors have used state high courts to jail opposition members? What is the statistics out there?

“Yes, the fear is there; it is a legitimate fear. But what is more legitimate is that Nigerians should embrace the benefits of state police.

“Because of those concerns, while drafting this document, we ensured that there are clear guardrails defining the powers, duties and operational limits of state police.”

Kalu explained that the proposed amendment will move policing to the Concurrent Legislative List while establishing national standards that every state police service would be required to follow.

He also noted that the legislation expressly bars state police from being used for partisan political purposes or political conflicts.

“It is a beautiful piece of legislation that we have put together”, he noted.

The Deputy Speaker disclosed that once the constitutional amendment is approved, it will be followed by a comprehensive review of the Police Act to provide the legal framework needed to operationalise state police.

“There is going to be a consequential repeal and reenactment of the Police Act because it is going to be the implementation Act of the constitutional amendment we are making now.

“This means the President will champion the repeal and reenactment of the Police Act, and it is in that Act that many of the operational details Nigerians are currently concerned about will be adequately addressed”, Kalu stated.

Reflecting on his engagements at Chatham House, Kalu said the visit offered Nigeria an opportunity to present its democratic reforms and constitutional changes to key international stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He emphasised that Nigeria cannot not afford to ignore global opinion, noting that international perceptions often shape diplomatic relations, investment decisions and economic partnerships.

“Nigeria is in the comity of nations; we are not an isolated nation.

“One thing with global politics is that perception is everything. If you don’t communicate and frame your narratives properly, others will frame the narratives for you”, he added.

According to him, discussions at Chatham House centred on Nigeria’s preparations for the 2027 elections and reforms designed to improve the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.

Kalu said he also highlighted the significance of Section 60(3) of the Electoral Act, which makes the electronic transmission of election results the default legal position.
He further revealed that the National Assembly is pursuing constitutional reforms to ensure that funding for the country’s defence sector is placed on the First Line Charge, guaranteeing timely and uninterrupted financing.

“Elections are coming, international observers will be here, documents will be flying around. We need to let the world know the level of our preparation and the innovations we have introduced into the Electoral Act to enhance credibility.

“We informed them that we are pushing to ensure that financing for the defence sector occupies the First Line Charge so that funding will not be delayed or subjected to interference.

“It is important to have these conversations with international bodies so that the framing of discussions around what Nigeria is doing will be in the proper perspective”, the Deputy Speaker said.

Speaking on his participation at the London Climate Action Week, the Deputy Speaker said he used the platform to attract global investors to Nigeria’s climate adaptation, mitigation and energy transition programmes.

“I was there wooing investors from around the world to come and participate in Nigeria’s climate adaptation and mitigation efforts.

“I also showcased our roadmap for the green economy, particularly the reforms being driven under the Ministry of Solid Minerals.

“I saw significant interest, especially regarding energy transition. Our allies, particularly the United Kingdom, expressed strong interest in what Nigeria is doing, and I am confident that we will begin to harvest the outcomes of those engagements in the coming days”, he explained.

Kalu also urged Nigerians, particularly young people, to become ambassadors for the country by promoting balanced narratives that acknowledge challenges while celebrating progress.

He disclosed that the London trip was funded personally by himself and members of his team, saying patriotism should not always depend on government sponsorship.

“This trip was not sponsored by government. I sponsored it together with some members of my team because we believed it was time to project Nigeria positively to the world.

“It is not always about what government can do for you; it is also about what you can do for your country”, he stated.

He cautioned against using social media to paint an entirely negative picture of Nigeria, arguing that online narratives have lasting consequences for the country’s international image.

“We do not have any other country but this. If we destroy its image, we become strangers wherever we go.

“We know we have challenges, and we should criticise constructively, but we must also tell the positive stories. Leadership will come and go, but you will remain a Nigerian for life.

“When I spoke at Chatham House, I made it clear that we did not come to say Nigeria has arrived. We are only 27 years into our democracy, while many countries we are compared with have over 200 years of democratic experience.

“If we are patient and continue building our institutions, we will get it right. Let us keep Nigeria first in the way we project our country to the world because the narratives we create are being leveraged internationally to define who we are”, he stated. 

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• Commends NDLEA’s leadership, officers’ courage and professionalism
. 5.3m kilograms of drugs worth N1.5trillion seized in 18 months, says Marwa

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to eliminating the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking through evidence-based, innovative interventions.

The President gave this assurance on Friday 26th 2026 in Abuja during the grand finale of celebrations, marking the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. President Tinubu was represented at the event by the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN.

Reflecting on this year’s theme, “The World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses,” the President emphasized that the evolving nature of the global drug problem demands constant vigilance, adaptability, and collective action. He noted that the consequences of the drug scourge extend far beyond individual users, severely disrupting families, schools, workplaces, and overall national security.

According to the President, the federal government is confronting these challenges through a well-coordinated, multi-faceted approach. His words: “My administration remains committed to creating an environment in which young Nigerians can thrive and succeed. Through the Renewed Hope Agenda, we are expanding access to education, promoting skills development, supporting entrepreneurship, creating employment opportunities and implementing social interventions that address some of the underlying factors that make individuals vulnerable to substance abuse and criminal recruitment.

“At the same time, we recognize that reducing demand must be matched by decisive action to disrupt supply. This requires stronger border management, enhanced surveillance of ports, airports, seaports and land crossings, improved intelligence gathering and closer collaboration among national, regional and international law enforcement agencies. Criminal organizations operate across borders, and our response must be equally coordinated and effective.”

The President noted that science, technology and reliable data have become indispensable tools in this effort, adding that “We must continue to strengthen our capacity to collect, analyse and apply data so that emerging trends are identified early, interventions are properly evaluated and strategic decisions are informed by facts.”

“As illicit drug markets evolve, our ability to detect and identify drugs and precursor chemicals must evolve as well. Strengthening forensic laboratories, enhancing technological capabilities and supporting scientific research will remain essential if we are to stay ahead of emerging threats. Our criminal justice system must continue to receive the support it needs to deal effectively with drug-related crimes. Law enforcement officers, investigators, prosecutors and the courts all have important roles to play in ensuring that criminal organizations are disrupted and offenders are held accountable under the law”, he added.

A major highlight of the presidential address was the high praise showered on the leadership and personnel of the NDLEA for their relentless crusade against drug cartels.

“I wish to commend the officers, men and leadership of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency under the able leadership of Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd). Their dedication, courage and professionalism have yielded remarkable achievements in both drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts which have earned Nigeria recognition and respect both within Africa and across the international community,” President Tinubu stated.
The President reminded the audience that the world drug problem is a shared challenge requiring a shared response. He called on civil society, international partners, and individual citizens to reinforce their commitments to creating safer, healthier, and drug-free societies for future generations.

In his welcome remark, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa stated that Nigeria stands in lockstep with the global community, while reaffirming the country’s unyielding resolve against one of the most persistent threats to public health, national security, social stability, and human development.

According to him, “in the face of these sophisticated threats, the NDLEA has not blinked. We remain resolute. Over the past year, the Agency has recorded monumental operational successes through intelligence-driven enforcement, dismantling seemingly untouchable syndicates and executing unprecedented seizures across our airports, seaports, land borders, and deep in the forests in communities.

“To those who think they can operate with impunity, our recent spectacular operational breakthroughs send an unmistakable message: there is no safe haven. In a masterclass of transnational intelligence sharing, the NDLEA, in seamless collaboration with the US-DEA, and law enforcement authorities from Greece, France, and Switzerland, successfully dismantled the notorious Amadi Simon drug cartel.

“With same zeal and vigour, we have effectively neutralized a highly sophisticated, cross-continental methamphetamine cartel. This operation led to the historic arrest of a 63-year-old Nigerian drug baron, Innocent Anochili, alongside three Mexican nationals and six other Nigerian accomplices, completely disrupting a major synthetic drug pipeline.

“And closely coming on the heels of this was the discovery of yet another industrial scale clandestine meth laboratory deep in the forest of Tapa village, Ibarapa North LGA, Oyo state, where a Mexican and four others were arrested and their multibillion-naira infrastructure of death shut down and dismantled.”
The NDLEA boss noted that the Agency’s achievements are backed by an aggressive, relentless five-year campaign that has fundamentally broken the spine of drug trafficking in the country with the arrest of no fewer than 234 drug barons coordinating the operations of major drug networks dismantled during the period.

He said in the last 18 months alone, the Agency has made a total of 29,262 arrests leading to the seizure of 5,305,484.88 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs valued at over N1.5 Trillion and the conviction of 5,225 offenders. “These numbers represent more than just data; they represent millions of lives saved, billions of naira in criminal wealth confiscated, and a future reclaimed for our youths.”

While noting that enforcement alone cannot solve the drug problem, Marwa said the NDLEA has aggressively expanded its Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) initiatives. “Through our War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, we have conducted 6,645 drug use prevention focused sensitization and awareness creation programmes in schools, worship centres, work places, markets, motor parks and communities, and correctional facilities, among others, equipping nearly five million Nigerians with the life skills to resist drug abuse. Equally significant is the counselling, treatment and rehabilitation of 13,508 drug users across our 31 rehab centres spread all over the country within the same period.”
He said in line with this year’s focus on innovative responses, “we are strengthening our use of technology, deep-web intelligence gathering, and advanced data analytics to identify emerging drug trends before they hit the streets”, adding that “we are radically upgrading our forensic and chemical analysis capabilities to improve the detection of precursor chemicals and new, exotic psychoactive substances.”

“Also important is our first in Africa Alternative Development Programme. This significant game-changing strategy is an initiative fully aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. Alternative Development is about giving illicit cannabis growers an alternative source of legitimate income through the growing of licit crops like cassava, maize, cowpeas, cocoa etc thereby achieving sustainable livelihoods and economic empowerment.”
While expressing sincere appreciation to “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support and encouragement to the Agency and demonstrated immense political will towards the fight against drug abuse and trafficking”, he equally thanked local and international partners; civil society organizations, the media and community leaders for supporting the work of the Agency. He also commended NDLEA personnel, calling them “ the thin green line standing between safety and chaos, working tirelessly day and night to protect our nation.”

He expressed confidence that through sustained cooperation, cutting-edge innovation, and shared responsibility, “we can overcome current challenges, neutralize emerging threats, and build a safer, healthier, and more prosperous Nigeria for generations to come.”

Delivering the guest lecture titled “Celebrating Progress and Inspiring Collective Actions against Drug Abuse”, Prof Oluwatoyin Odeku of the Department of Pharmaceuticals and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, noted that there’s a reason to celebrate the milestones achieved in the fight against illicit drugs in the past five years. “First, let us celebrate. Because celebration fuels courage. When NDLEA was re-energised in 2021, many thought the drug war was unwinnable. Today, the data tells a different story, and we have reasons to celebrate”, she stated.

In his remark at the event, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Representative, Chiekh Touré who was represented by Dr. Akanidomo Ibanga commended the Federal Government for its continued commitment to addressing the drug problem through a balanced and coordinated approach. “The leadership of institutions such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Federal Ministry of Health, and other critical stakeholders demonstrates a growing recognition that effective drug control must integrate both supply and demand reduction, underpinned by evidence and respect for human rights. At UNODC, we are privileged to support these national efforts by advancing innovative, evidence-based responses that align with global standards and national priorities.”

He reaffirmed UNODC’s unwavering commitment to supporting Nigeria in this critical endeavor, adding that “we stand ready to continue providing technical expertise, fostering partnerships, and promoting innovative solutions that respond to the realities on the ground.”

Another highpoint of the event was the presentation prize gifts to three winners of NDLEA inter-secondary school essay competition. The first prize of N500,000 and trophy went to Ikpeamachi Jennifer of Federal Government College, Enugu; while Aliyu Kama of General Murtala Muhammed College, Yola got the second prize of N300,000 with trophy and Chiagoziem Ikechukwu of Mimshak Academy, Mbawsi, Abia state went with the third prize of N200,000 and trophy.

Others who spoke on their support for ongoing drug control efforts include the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio represented by Senator Sadiq Sulaiman Umar; Hon. Lanre Okunola of the House of Reps Committee on Drugs and Narcotics; First Lady of Kwara state and Chairperson, Nigeria Governors Spouses Forum, Amb (Mrs) Olufolake Abdulrasaq; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate who was represented by Mrs. Adeola Olufowobi-Yusuf; Mandate Secretary, Health and Environment, FCTA, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe; Chairman of MTN Foundation, Mrs Mosun Belo-Olusoga represented by Mrs. Odunayo Sanya; representatives of NACA, and NAFDAC, among others.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday said his administration is opening up Abuja to economic opportunities through sustained investment in road infrastructure, declaring that the commissioning of Collector Roads 01 and 02 in Mabushi District marks another milestone in the transformation of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the inauguration of the roads linking the Mabushi Bus Terminal to Ahmadu Bello Way, Tinubu said the project would eliminate traffic bottlenecks, improve connectivity and stimulate economic activities across the capital city.

“We are not just opening two roads. We are opening up Abuja. We are connecting people to opportunity and cutting hours of waste from daily life,” the President declared.

He noted that residents had endured years of difficult movement, unnecessary detours and lost productive hours due to poor road connectivity in the area.

“For many years, movement in this part of the capital was a struggle. Traffic bottlenecks. Needless detours. Time lost that should have been spent at work, at school or with family. Today, that changes.”

According to him, the roads will create seamless links across Mabushi and the wider FCT, boosting commerce, improving mobility and enhancing security.

“When roads connect, businesses grow. When movement is easy, productivity rises. When travel is safe, citizens are free. That is the Renewed Hope Agenda at work.”

Describing infrastructure as the foundation of economic growth, Tinubu said roads remain critical to national development.

“Roads are not just asphalt. They are the veins of commerce, the bridges of unity and the channels through which our people pursue their dreams without fear or delay.”

He thanked residents for their patience throughout the construction period and urged them to safeguard the public infrastructure.

“I know the diversions were frustrating. I know the dust was uncomfortable. But you endured because you believed in a better Abuja. Today, your patience has paid off. These roads belong to you. Use them responsibly and protect them jealously.”

The President also singled out the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, for commendation, saying the remarkable transformation taking place across Abuja was evidence of focused leadership.

“I gave you a simple charge: ‘Make Abuja work for all.’ You took it and ran with it. From satellite towns to the city centre, you are turning blueprints into roads people can drive on today.

“Your energy, your insistence on delivery and your refusal to accept excuses are why the FCT is transforming under this administration. Nigerians see it. I see it. Well done, Minister Wike.”

Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a world-class capital city where no community would be left behind.

“Our vision remains clear: a world-class capital that works for every resident, whether you live in Asokoro or Kuje, Wuse or Gwagwalada. Interconnectivity is how we get there one road at a time, one district at a time.”

Earlier, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike attributed the rapid infrastructural transformation in Abuja to President Tinubu’s unwavering support and leadership.

“It is your directive that every district in Abuja must be touched. Every district must feel the impact of your administration,” Wike said.

The minister explained that the commissioning formed part of the ongoing 31-day inauguration of projects to mark the administration’s third anniversary, adding that almost every district in the FCT would benefit from one project or another.

He maintained that road construction remained the bedrock of development, saying the newly completed roads had already triggered rapid real estate expansion within the Mabushi District.

“Look at this road and look at the houses around it. Without this road, these houses would not have come up. Investors are coming because infrastructure has arrived.

“People used to say, ‘We cannot eat roads.’ Today, they can see what roads can do. Roads attract investments, create jobs, increase property values and stimulate economic development.”

Wike praised Tinubu for consistently providing the resources needed to execute projects across the FCT.

“When you have courageous, focused and determined leadership, those working under such leadership have no option but to deliver. We have not complained because each time we approach Mr President with requests, he gives us the necessary support.”

He assured residents that the administration would sustain the pace of development in both the city centre and satellite towns.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, described President Tinubu as the driving force behind the Renewed Hope Agenda, saying his commitment to infrastructure development was changing the face of the nation’s capital.

She also hailed Wike as “a master builder of Nigeria’s capital city,” whose determination and commitment had translated development plans into visible projects.

Mahmoud called on residents to protect public infrastructure and continue supporting government efforts to build a modern, inclusive and prosperous Federal Capital Territory.