Former House of Representatives member Kayode Oladele has voiced strong support for the State Police Constitutional Alteration Bill, arguing it is a vital measure to counter the country’s worsening security situation. Oladele, who previously served as Acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission, characterized the proposal as a necessary legal update to fix flaws within the current centralized security framework.
During a recent interview, Oladele highlighted that while the bill still requires presidential approval and endorsement from two-thirds of state legislatures, its successful passage through both chambers of the National Assembly is a milestone. He pointed to Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution, which mandates that government prioritize the security and welfare of citizens, noting that current threats like kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism prove that a single federal police force is insufficient for a nation of Nigeria’s size and complexity.
Oladele clarified that supporting state-level policing is not an attack on the existing Nigeria Police Force, whose officers he praised for their dedication despite limited resources. Instead, he framed the move as a modernization effort. Under the proposed model, the country would adopt a dual system where both federal and state police exist. He emphasized that the law would not force states to create their own agencies but would permit them to do so via individual state legislation, provided they adhere to national benchmarks for training and conduct.
Regarding concerns that state governors might abuse their own police forces, Oladele suggested that these fears should not block progress. He remains hopeful that a decentralized approach will foster a more efficient, locally sensitive security environment.
