The Labour Party has described the Senate’s passage of the State Police Bill as a major milestone in Nigeria’s quest to overhaul its security framework, urging state governments to support what it called a long-overdue reform aimed at bringing policing closer to the people.
The party said the proposed legislation offers an opportunity to address longstanding weaknesses in the country’s centralized security structure, which many observers blame for the slow response to rising cases of banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes and other security threats across the country.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, said the demand for state police has grown over the years as communities seek more effective and locally driven approaches to crime prevention and law enforcement.
> “For years, Nigerians across all regions have clamoured for a more effective and responsive policing architecture capable of addressing the growing and increasingly complex security challenges confronting the nation.”
While acknowledging fears that governors could misuse state police for political purposes, the Labour Party said the constitutional amendment contains safeguards designed to prevent abuse and ensure accountability.
> “The Labour Party is particularly encouraged by the constitutional safeguards embedded in the amendment Bill, especially the provisions contained in Section 17, which establish clear mechanisms to prevent abuse and ensure accountability in the operation of state police.”
The party argued that the country’s current security realities make reform unavoidable, noting that no policing model is perfect but that Nigeria can no longer afford to rely solely on a centralized system that is struggling to meet local security demands.
With the bill now headed to the 36 state Houses of Assembly for approval, the Labour Party called on governors and lawmakers to view the proposal as a national security imperative rather than a partisan issue.
According to the party, a well-regulated state police system would not only strengthen public safety but also deepen federalism by allowing states to take greater responsibility for protecting lives and property.
The party added that the outcome of deliberations in state assemblies could shape the future of security governance in Nigeria for decades to come.