President Bola Tinubu on Friday evening called on members of the House of Representatives to urgently consider constitutional amendments that would allow the creation of state police.
Speaking at an interfaith breaking of fast at the State House, Abuja, Tinubu said decentralising the country’s security architecture is crucial but must be carefully structured to prevent past abuses.
“If security is local, we just have to work together to put pressure on our public to accept the need for state police,” the President told lawmakers.
He stressed that any reform should not be a “straight free fall for everybody” but tied to safeguards that prevent misuse of policing powers.
The event, attended by Muslim and Christian lawmakers, symbolised unity during the Ramadan and Lenten seasons, reflecting cooperation across party, religious, and regional lines.
Tinubu noted that legislators, as grassroots representatives, are often confronted directly by constituents over local security threats, highlighting the need for a responsive, localised policing system.
He commended Speaker Tajudeen Abbas for his leadership, jokingly suggesting lawmakers should have paid for the dinner, while praising the House’s collaboration with the executive on key reforms.
Reflecting on his administration’s early days, the President expressed gratitude for the legislature’s support during the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira, despite criticism.
“None of you came to me to say, can you reverse the removal of subsidy or change the foreign exchange policy. You gave me the inspiration to move on,” he said.
Earlier, Speaker Abbas reaffirmed the House’s bipartisan support for the government’s policies, saying, “Every member here, whether from the majority or minority, believes in the direction of this government.”
The President’s remarks signal a renewed push for constitutional reform to devolve policing powers, a long-debated issue in Nigeria’s political discourse.
This interfaith gathering marked the third in a series hosted by Tinubu for political leaders during the Ramadan season, aimed at promoting national cohesion and legislative cooperation.
