Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu’s push for the creation of state police is aimed at securing political advantage ahead of the 2027 general election, insisting that the President’s priority is protecting the lives of Nigerians.
Kalu made the clarification during an interview on Arise News on Sunday, where he defended the ongoing constitutional amendment process to establish state police, saying Tinubu’s motivation is driven by the country’s worsening security situation rather than electoral considerations.
According to the former Abia State governor, the President has repeatedly explained that the proposed reform is intended to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and improve the safety of citizens.
“Well, I want to correct one impression. President Tinubu is not making this law because of the 2027 election. President Tinubu is anxious about this law because, from what he explained to us and to me, he’s concerned about the safety of Nigerian people,” Kalu said.
Explaining the legislative process, the senator said the establishment of state police would first require the amendment of relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution by the state Houses of Assembly to remove the provision recognising only one police force in the country.
He noted that once the constitutional amendment is completed, the National Assembly would proceed to amend the Police Act to provide the legal framework for the operation of state police.
“If the State Houses of Assembly amend those sections today, it gives us the opportunity to go to the second stage, which is bringing an Act to amend the Police Act,” he said.
Kalu explained that the proposed legislation would clearly define the powers of governors, the appointment process, operational procedures and other governance mechanisms for the proposed state police system.
“The most important thing is for the State Houses of Assembly to amend that section of the Constitution that makes it mandatory that there shall be one police force, which is the Nigeria Police Force. Amend it to provide for federal police services and state police services.
“Once we finish that, we’ll enter the second stage, which is amending the Police Act,” he added.
The renewed push for state police has gathered momentum amid growing insecurity across Nigeria.
Section 214(1) of the 1999 Constitution currently provides for only one police force—the Nigeria Police Force—meaning the creation of state police requires a constitutional amendment supported by two-thirds of the National Assembly and ratified by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly.
As part of the ongoing constitutional review, both the Senate and the House of Representatives have already passed the state police amendment bill and transmitted it to the 36 state legislatures for concurrence.
President Tinubu and the National Economic Council, comprising the 36 state governors and chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, have also endorsed the establishment of state police.
If the required approvals are secured, the National Assembly is expected to amend the Police Act, 2020, to spell out the powers, funding structure, command hierarchy, relationship with the Federal Police Service, governors’ responsibilities and safeguards against political interference in the operation of state police.
