Senate President Godswill Akpabio has disclosed that about 30 state Houses of Assembly have endorsed the proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police in Nigeria.
Akpabio spoke on Wednesday when members of the Arewa Revival Project, a northern youth organisation, visited him in Abuja.
He expressed optimism that the amendment process was nearing completion.
According to the Senate President, decentralised policing would complement existing security structures and strengthen efforts to tackle insecurity.
“As I speak with you now, for the first time in the history of Nigeria, it may not take us a month before we have a state police system, a decentralised policing in the country, because about 30 states have endorsed the amendment to the Nigerian Constitution to bring about a state police system, which will further increase the security of the nation,” he said.
Akpabio Endorses Tinubu for Second Term
Akpabio urged the Arewa youths to mobilise grassroots support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
He argued that continuity in government would allow the administration’s economic policies to yield results.
“No president has achieved the level of development that he has done in this country today since independence. The naysayers will not want to say so, but I am very proud, and members of the National Assembly are very proud,” he said.
“We hold our heads very high and say, yes, we have given him a pass mark and that we have endorsed him to come for a second term in office.”
Akpabio said the President had taken steps to move Nigeria away from its dependence on crude oil revenues.
“He has brought innovations to bear through the tax reform system, through tinkering with anachronistic laws,” he said.
Warning Against Social Media Propaganda
Akpabio warned the youths that countering criticism of the administration on social media would be difficult.
He alleged that some individuals attacking the President and his supporters online were being paid.
“It is not going to be easy for you because most of those who are attacking the President and attacking these young men on social media are being paid. You are not being paid,” he alleged.
He advised the youths to organise periodic grassroots engagements to explain government policies and counter misinformation.
“You may not be able to have the kind of energy and time with them. But once in a while, gather the youth together and let them see the truth and know the truth,” he said.
Akpabio also expressed confidence that Nigeria would overcome its security challenges.
“I always tell them that the devil that you see today, you will soon see them no more. Very soon, we shall overcome the insecurity that we face today. So, feel confident as you go round campaigning,” he said.
He maintained that decentralised policing could strengthen national security by improving the ability of law enforcement agencies to respond to threats within their communities.
“You don’t change a winning team. He is doing so well. Allow his policies to crystallise. This is not somebody who is coming to experiment. He is already doing it,” Akpabio said.
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