Tinubu sets up panel to draft state police bill after Senate amendment
President Bola Tinubu inaugurated a Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, appointing his Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila as chairman to draft an implementation-ready framework for state police. The move follows the Senate’s passage of a constitutional amendment to create state police services. The committee includes the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Nigerian Bar Association President, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, and the NGF Committee on State Police chair, with a secretariat providing administrative support.
The Working Group must produce a draft bill detailing minimum policing standards, state readiness certification, federal‑state coordination, accountability, human‑rights safeguards, and fiscal conditions immediately after the constitutional amendment process. Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun said if each state deploys about 6,000 officers, nearly 200,000 personnel could complement the federal police, addressing rising insecurity, kidnappings, and the Oriire abduction of May 15, 2026. However, NBA President Afam Osigwe and former Labour Party candidate Peter Obi warn that strong legal safeguards are needed to prevent political abuse of state police, especially ahead of the 2027 elections.
What safeguards would you demand to ensure state police serve communities rather than political interests, and how prepared do you think your state is to meet the proposed readiness standards?