National Assembly moves to shield state police from governors, political interference

National Assembly moves to shield state police from governors, political interference

The National Assembly has unveiled plans to ensure that the proposed state police system operates independently of governors, political actors, criminal networks and other vested interests as part of ongoing constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.

The assurance was given by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who said lawmakers are working on robust legal safeguards to guarantee the operational, administrative and financial independence of state police services once they are established.

Speaking while responding to concerns raised by stakeholders over the proposed creation of state police, Bamidele acknowledged that many Nigerians remain apprehensive about decentralised policing due to the country’s historical experience during the First Republic, when regional governments exercised considerable control over local police formations.

According to the senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, the National Assembly recognises those concerns and is determined to prevent any future abuse by embedding constitutional checks and balances into the proposed framework.

A key proposal under consideration is to make funding for state police a first-line constitutional charge, similar to the funding arrangement currently enjoyed by Nigeria’s judiciary. Bamidele explained that the measure would ensure state police institutions receive statutory funding directly, preventing governors from using financial control to influence policing decisions or punish security agencies that refuse to carry out political directives.

He cited the constitutional funding model for the judiciary, noting that judicial officers do not require executive approval for routine expenditures because their funding is protected by the Constitution.

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“The Commissioner of Police and the State Police Service Commission must have a guaranteed source of funds provided for in the Constitution so that the police chief will not be subject to the whims and caprices of a state governor,” Bamidele said.

He warned that without such protection, governors could withhold funding whenever state police authorities refuse to comply with political instructions.

To address this, lawmakers are considering a constitutional provision that would earmark a fixed percentage of every state’s annual budget specifically for the operations of state police, with clear guidelines on how the funds can be accessed and managed.

In addition to guaranteed funding, the National Assembly is considering the establishment of independent State Police Service Commissions to oversee recruitment, promotions, discipline and other personnel matters. The proposed commissions are expected to reduce executive influence over appointments and operations while promoting professionalism, accountability and merit within the new policing system.

Lawmakers are also working on provisions that will clearly define the relationship between the proposed state police and the Nigeria Police Force, ensuring effective collaboration without jurisdictional conflicts and strengthening national security coordination.

The renewed push for state police comes amid worsening insecurity across Nigeria, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence, armed robbery and attacks on rural communities. Governors, traditional rulers, security experts and civil society organisations have repeatedly argued that Nigeria’s centralised policing structure has become overstretched and requires reform to improve intelligence gathering, community policing and rapid emergency response.

Supporters of the proposal believe locally controlled police services will be more familiar with the communities they serve, enabling quicker responses to security threats and stronger partnerships with residents. However, critics have warned that without adequate safeguards, state police could be used by governors to intimidate political opponents, suppress dissent or influence elections.

Bamidele said the National Assembly is determined to ensure those fears do not materialise by creating a constitutional framework that protects the independence of the proposed security outfit while guaranteeing accountability, professionalism and respect for human rights.

The proposal forms part of the ongoing Constitution Review being undertaken by the National Assembly to strengthen governance and improve national security. Any amendment creating state police must secure approval by both chambers of the National Assembly and be endorsed by at least 24 of Nigeria’s 36 State Houses of Assembly before becoming law.

If passed, the reform would represent one of the most significant changes to Nigeria’s policing system since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999.

National Assembly moves to shield state police from governors, political interference