BY CHIJIOKE CHARLES
The Labour Party has welcomed the passage of the State Police Bill by the Senate, describing it as a courageous and patriotic step towards addressing Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.
Afrilensnews reports that the Senate recently passed the State Police Bill transmitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as part of efforts to decentralise policing and strengthen internal security across the country.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Ken Eluma Asogwa, commended the National Assembly, particularly the Senate, for what he described as its courage, swiftness and sense of patriotism in advancing the constitutional amendment.
“The passage of this Bill therefore represents a significant step towards strengthening internal security and bringing law enforcement closer to the people,” Asogwa said.
For years, Nigerians across all regions have clamoured for a more effective and responsive policing architecture capable of addressing the growing and increasingly complex security challenges confronting the nation.
While acknowledging concerns in some quarters over the possibility of abuse of state police structures, particularly in light of experiences with State Independent Electoral Commissions and allegations of undue interference by some state governors, the Labour Party argued that prevailing security realities demand innovative solutions.
The party expressed confidence in the constitutional safeguards contained in the amendment bill, especially the provisions of Section 17, which it said establish clear mechanisms to prevent abuse and ensure accountability in the operation of state police.
“The Labour Party is particularly encouraged by the constitutional safeguards embedded in the amendment Bill, especially the provisions contained in Section 17, which establish clear mechanisms to prevent abuse and ensure accountability in the operation of state police. These safeguards, if faithfully implemented, should serve as effective checks against arbitrary control or misuse of the system by any state executive,” the statement noted.
According to the party, no policing model is perfect, but the limitations of the current centralised policing system have become increasingly evident in a vast and diverse country such as Nigeria.
The Labour Party further called on governors and members of the State Houses of Assembly across the 36 states to support the constitutional amendment as it awaits concurrence by state legislatures before being transmitted to the President for assent.
“As the Bill now awaits the concurrence of the State Houses of Assembly before being transmitted to the President for assent, the Labour Party calls on governors and state lawmakers across the 36 states of the federation to rise above partisan considerations and lend their support to this important constitutional reform in the overriding interest of national security and public safety,” Asogwa stated.
The party maintained that, if properly implemented, state policing could become a vital tool for combating crime, improving community-based security and strengthening Nigeria’s federal structure.
I
