PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday night, February 25, urged the Senate to begin the process of amending the 1999 Constitution to provide for the establishment of State Police, saying Nigeria must urgently restructure its security architecture to confront terrorism, banditry and insurgency.
Speaking at an inter-faith breaking of Fast with the leadership and members of the Senate at the State House, Abuja, Tinubu said the time had come for lawmakers to “start thinking” about embedding state policing in the constitution to enable governments at subnational levels better secure their territories.
He stated: “Nigeria is extremely challenged, we are facing terrorism, banditry, insurgency, but you never failed to make a right response to these calls.
“What I will ask for tonight is for you 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.”
The President termed the amendment as a constitutional obligation anchored on unity and shared responsibility, adding: “What you have faced in the challenging period of this country, the terrorism and banditry, is causing us havoc.
“We should pull together, unite in a way that our forefathers contemplated to bring about a constitutional democracy and pull us together. They didn’t say we should fight.”
He used the opportunity to express appreciation to the senators for supporting what he described as bold and necessary economic reforms, noting: “I have a lot of credit for bold reforms.
“Without your collaborations, without your inspirations, those reforms are not possible. We are reformists together.”
He described the coincidence of Ramadan and Lent as symbolic of national unity, urging continued harmony between the Executive and Legislature.
The President stated: “We are committed to Nigerian entity succeeding. We are committed to make law for the welfare, prosperity of the country. I think we are committed together to govern together.”
In his response, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, assured Tinubu of loyalty and continued cooperation, adding: “We have nothing to give to you than to assure you of our loyalty.
“I’m sure you have noticed that nothing you have ever sent to us died in First Reading, and it will never happen.”
He explained that the chamber painstakingly reviews Executive proposals to ensure they serve national interest, even when they initially attract criticism, hoping that by 2031, Nigeria would be more prosperous under Tinubu’s leadership.
He prayed for peace in the midst of what he described as “troubles and sponsored insecurity” in parts of the country.
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