- Safiu Kehinde
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has on Wednesday called to the leadership of the 10th Senate to amend the constitution to provide a legal framework for the establishment of State Police to tackle insecurity nationwide.
Tinubu made the call during an interfaith breakfast with senators at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
As quoted in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said that the creation of State Police has become urgent to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
This, according to him, will also strengthen grassroots policing, and enhance states’ capacity to respond swiftly to threats within their jurisdictions.
He noted that a decentralised policing structure would complement existing federal security architecture and promote intelligence-led, community-focused law enforcement.
“We are facing terrorism, banditry, and insurgency. But we will never fail to make a right response to this cause.
“What I will ask for tonight is for you (Senators) to start thinking how best to amend the constitution to incorporate the State Police for us to secure our country, take over our forests from marauders, and free our children from fear,” Tinubu said.
The President commended the cordial relationship between the executive and the Senate, stressing that unity is needed to defeat terrorism and banditry in the country.
“It is a good thing that we are working in harmony, we are looking forward to a country that evolves, a country that takes care of its citizens and protects all.” He added.
Tinubu further expressed his gratitude to the Senate for its unflinching support towards achieving various economic reforms of his administration, especially the fuel subsidy removal and tax reform policy.
“I have a lot of credit for bold reforms. Without your collaboration and inspiration, those reforms would not be possible. We are reformists together.
“What we gave up and what we stopped is monumental corruption in the subsidy system. We don’t want to participate in monumental corruption and arbitrage foreign exchange.
“You don’t have to chase me for dollars; you could see what Nigeria is today. You should be proud, and I am glad you are.
“What we are enjoying is a stable economy, and prosperity is beckoning us. We need to work hard, and this attendance means a lot to me,” the President said.
In his remark, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, commended Tinubu for hosting the leadership of the Senate to the Interfaith breaking of fast.
Akpabio hailed the President for providing the visionary leadership the nation needs at this critical time, stating that the administration’s bold reforms have now brought more revenue to governors at the sub-national level for the development of critical infrastructure.
He prayed for the administration and for the nation’s peace and prosperity.