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 possible 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.
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.
“It is a beautiful piece of legislation that we have put together.
“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”, he said.
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 stressed that Nigeria cannot afford to ignore global opinion, noting that international perceptions often shape diplomatic relations, investment decisions and economic partnerships.
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.
“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.”
“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”, he added.
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 disclosed 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.
Describing international engagements as essential, Kalu said they help ensure Nigeria’s democratic progress is presented in its proper context.
“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”, he stated.
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 said.
Kalu also urged Nigerians, particularly young people, to become ambassadors for the country by promoting balanced narratives that acknowledge challenges while celebrating progress.
He said that the London trip was funded personally by himself and members of his team, saying patriotism should not always depend on government sponsorship.
He warned 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.
“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.
“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”, Kalu said.
