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Senate to debate State Police bill this week
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The Senate has intensified efforts to establish state police, declaring that the constitutional amendment required to decentralise policing across the country will be prioritised this week.
Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, said the National Assembly had resolved to fast-track the proposed amendment to the 1999 Constitution, describing the creation of state police as a necessary response to the nation’s worsening security challenges.
Bamidele, who disclosed this in an interview in Abuja on Monday, said the proposal enjoyed broad support from President Bola Tinubu, state governors and other stakeholders, adding that there was now a national consensus on the need to establish state police.
The renewed push comes amid growing concerns over terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence across the country, with recent attacks, including the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State and attacks on military men across the regions, further strengthening calls for a decentralised policing system.
Currently, Section 214(1) of the 1999 Constitution provides for a single national police force.
It states that, “There shall be a Police Force for Nigeria, which shall be known as the Nigeria Police Force.”
However, Bamidele said there was now a broad consensus among stakeholders that the time had come to establish state police.
He said, “Our position is very clear on state police. We are standing with Nigerians on the issue of state police. All strata of the federation have made it clear that there cannot be a better time to establish a state police than now.
“That is where we stand. Where we come in now is to help translate this popular desire of the people into reality as elected representatives of the Nigerian people.
“We concluded that we are going to pass the constitutional amendment in this respect to make a provision for the state police. If I can tell you as of today, that will come to fruition this very week because there is no need to allow any further delay.”
According to him, consultations involving the National Assembly, the Presidency and security agencies had advanced significantly, paving the way for legislative action.
“There have been a series of meetings between the National Assembly. When I say the National Assembly, I mean Chairman, Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Senator Barau Jibrin and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, both of whom are representing the National Assembly.
“They had been in a series of meetings with the office of the Attorney-General, Chief of Staff to the President, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, Inspector-General of Police, Mr Tunji Disu and other stakeholders in the last week, and that is why I can sit here to tell you that we’re pursuing that this week.
“It is going to be the subject we will be dealing with this week. What we have resolved to do is to isolate it with the rest of the bills that we have proposed under constitutional amendment so that we can vote on this as soon as possible,” he said.
Bamidele explained that the state police proposal would be treated separately from other constitutional amendment bills to fast-track its passage and transmission to the states for ratification.
“The bill can as well be on its way to the 36 state Houses of Assembly as soon as possible because you know we will need two-thirds of the state houses of assembly to approve it before the President can assent to it.
“The President is also with us on this proposal. I am sure he cannot wait for the bill to come to him for assent.
“I am sure the majority of our governors, as we know, are in support of this bill. The state houses of assembly are also waiting for this bill to come. We will initiate the proposal for the creation of state police within the week.”
Under the constitutional amendment process, any alteration to the Constitution must be approved by at least two-thirds of the National Assembly and ratified by no fewer than 24 state Houses of Assembly before it can be signed into law by the President.
The renewed push for state police follows years of debate over the decentralisation of policing powers, with supporters arguing that governors and local authorities are better positioned to tackle security threats within their jurisdictions.
Opponents, however, have raised concerns about possible abuse of such police formations by state governments.
Earlier, Gbajabiamila disclosed that Tinubu would soon receive a comprehensive report on the proposed creation of state police as consultations on the constitutional framework for its establishment neared completion.
…highlight major projects, Programme,Regional Development Plans Amid Funding Challenges
By Gloria Ikibah
The South East Development Commission (SEDC) has reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability and regional development following an oversight session with the Senate Committee on South East Development Commission at the National Assembly.
The interactive session, chaired by the Committee Chairman, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, formed part of the National Assembly’s constitutional responsibility to oversee the activities of government agencies.
During the engagement, the Commission presented a detailed report of its activities since the inauguration of its Board in February 2025, covering its financial performance, institutional development, procurement processes, staffing, partnerships and ongoing programmes across the South-East.
The Commission also briefed lawmakers on its engagements with state governments, federal institutions, development finance organisations and other stakeholders involved in driving development across the region.
As part of its review, the Senate Committee requested additional documentation relating to certain aspects of the Commission’s operations and programme implementation.
Responding to the request, the Commission welcomed the move and sought a short extension to collate and submit the required materials.
Following discussions, the Committee adjourned proceedings to a later date pending receipt of the requested submissions, which the Commission is expected to provide on or before 23 June 2026.
SEDC used the opportunity to highlight progress recorded despite what it described as significant funding constraints.
According to the Commission, preparatory work has advanced on several major regional projects since the Board was inaugurated, including strategic infrastructure initiatives such as gas pipeline and railway projects designed to drive economic growth and regional integration.
The Commission also disclosed that it had established partnerships with a number of national and international institutions, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Afreximbank, Rural Electrification Agency, the Bank of Industry, Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Gas Aggregator Company of Nigeria.
It added that extensive consultations had been held with the governments of the five South-East states, federal ministries, development partners, academic institutions and private sector stakeholders to create a coordinated approach to regional development.
One of the major achievements highlighted during the session was the South East Vision 2050 stakeholder consultations, which brought together government officials, development experts, business leaders, academics and civil society groups to develop a long-term blueprint for the economic transformation of the region.
The Commission also spotlighted the successful rollout of the inaugural South East Venture Capital Programme (SEVCP), which it described as a flagship initiative aimed at promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and investment.
According to SEDC, 25 start-ups from across the South-East received equity investments through a transparent and competitive selection process under the programme.
The Commission said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reflects efforts to strengthen entrepreneurship, private sector growth and investor confidence.
“Anchored within the South East Investment Company, the Programme represents a strategic effort to move beyond fragmented interventions towards a more structured and credible venture capital ecosystem for the South East, combining capital deployment with venture development, institutional partnerships, and pathways for attracting institutional capital into early-stage, high-growth enterprises across the region,” it stated.
However, the Commission expressed concern over the pace of funding releases, warning that implementation of critical projects could be affected if appropriated funds are not released promptly.
It disclosed that despite the Federal Government and National Assembly approving ₦140 billion for the Commission in the 2026 budget, less than 10 per cent of the allocation has so far been released.
The statement further read: “Of the N140 billion appropriated to the Commission in the 2026 budget, less than 10% has been released to date across all budget lines.”
SEDC stressed that accelerated releases are essential to enable the execution of key infrastructure, agricultural transformation, youth empowerment, economic development and regional security initiatives captured within its mandate.
“The scale of development required across the South East demands sustained funding, institutional coordination, and continued collaboration among all stakeholders,” the Commission noted.
Reaffirming its commitment to openness and accountability, the Commission pledged full cooperation with the National Assembly and all relevant oversight institutions.
“SEDC remains committed to full cooperation with the National Assembly and all relevant oversight institutions. The Commission views accountability, transparency, and constructive engagement as fundamental to the successful delivery of its mandate and will continue to provide all information required to support effective legislative oversight.
“The Commission remains focused on its responsibility to deliver meaningful and measurable impact for the people of the South East through disciplined planning, transparent governance, strategic partnerships, and the effective deployment of public resources. The Commission appreciates the continued support of the National Assembly and looks forward to sustained collaboration in advancing inclusive growth, shared prosperity, and long-term development across the region.”
The National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, and other leaders of the NDC, on Monday, held a closed-door peace talks with aggrieved members of the party in Kano State.
Osa Director, the national spokesperson of the NDC, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
Mr Director explained that the closed-door peace talks were part of efforts to resolve the primary election-related crisis between Kwankwasiya Movement and other NDC members in the North-western state.
Kwankwasiya Movement is a political support group founded by the NDC vice-presidential candidate and former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The national spokesperson said the meeting, which lasted for several hours, was “productive.”
Senator Dickson and the NDC leadership are mediating in the process in order to enhance inclusion and participation by every party member.
According to Oda Director the NDC leadership will not impose candidates in Kano State, and indeed across the nation as the party cherishes the virtues of internal democracy,” he said.
He stressed that the NDC has not released any official results of its 2027 primaries in any state.
He urged members to disregard any such list in circulation.
The cause of the crisis
It was gathered that some NDC members in North-west Nigeria recently alleged Mr Kwankwaso was plotting to facilitate the dominance of members of Kwankwasiya Movement in the region’s party structure while dropping other key party leaders.
The Vice-Chairman of the NDC in the North-west, Mohammed Serina, and the Chairman of the party in Kano State, Hussaini Mariga, made the allegations against Mr Kwankwaso in a petition recently submitted to the party’s national leadership.
The petition followed purported results of NDC’s primaries in North-west circulating on Facebook in which the majority of winners were linked to the Kwankwasiya Movement.
The Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, has removed the names of Ahmed Yayari and Daniel Woyengikuro from its portal as Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Treasurer and National Financial Secretary, respectively.
According to a check by DAILY POST shows that both names have also been replaced with Odeyemi Mackson Oladiran and Eyim Donatus Henry as the new executives.
Yayari and Woyengikuro who are part of the Makinde-backed Turaki faction while Odeyemi and Eyim are members of the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s faction, which is also the recognised faction of the PDP.
INEC had earlier recognised Wike’s faction by putting the names of Abdulrahman Mohammed as the National Chairman and Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary, but had left the names of Yayari and Woyengikuro as part of the executives.
With the recent update on its portal, all executives of the PDP on INEC’s portal are now aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
SEDC Defends Record Before Senate, Says Less Than 10% of ₦140bn Budget Released
NDC leader, Dickson in closed door session peace talks to stop party crisis in Kano
PDP logjam: INEC updates portal, names new treasurer, financial secretary
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