'Security Is Local’ - Tinubu Makes Fresh Case for State Policing

‘Security Is Local’ – Tinubu Makes Fresh Case for State Policing
Abbas Pledges House Support
Structured State Police, Warns Against Past Abuses

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday called on members of the House of Representatives to urgently consider constitutional amendments that would pave the way for the establishment of state police across the country, Eko Hot Blog reports.

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Speaking at an interfaith breaking of fast he hosted for lawmakers at the State House, Abuja, the President stressed that any move toward state policing must be carefully structured to prevent the abuses witnessed in the past.

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The dinner, attended by Muslim and Christian lawmakers during the Ramadan and Lenten seasons, was the third in a series of interfaith engagements. Earlier in the week, Tinubu hosted state governors and later the leadership and members of the Senate.

Addressing security concerns across parts of the country, the President noted that lawmakers, as grassroots representatives, are often confronted directly by constituents over insecurity.

“I see some of you on television going to your localities and face challenges. Now you know, more than anybody else, that security is local,” he said.

Making a strong case for decentralising the security architecture, Tinubu argued that empowering states with policing authority is essential to tackling emerging threats more effectively.

Security Is Local’ - Tinubu Makes Fresh Case for State Policing — President Tinubu

“If security is local, we just have to work together to put pressure on our public to accept the need for state police,” he said.

However, he cautioned against what he described as a “straight free fall” approach, urging lawmakers to design safeguards that would prevent misuse.

“Amend it, not a straight free fall for everybody. Tie it in a way that will not be abused, like in the past. A good legislature must learn from the past to cure the present. On that, I’m ready to work with you,” he added.

Tinubu also commended the House for supporting his administration’s economic reforms, particularly during the early days following the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira.

According to him, despite intense public criticism at the time, no lawmaker asked him to reverse the policies.

“You collaborated, you joined together as a team. You just gave me the inspiration to move on, because the heat was high voltage from the critics, but today, we are better off for it,” the President said.

In a light-hearted moment, Tinubu joked about charging lawmakers for the dinner before praising the leadership of the House and describing the chamber as rich in representation and consciousness.

Earlier, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas reaffirmed the legislature’s support for the President’s leadership and reform agenda.

“Every member you see here, whether from the majority or from the minority, believes in what you are doing, believes in the direction of this government,” Abbas said.

He added that while reforms are beginning to yield results, the best is yet to come, expressing optimism about the administration’s next mandate.

The President’s remarks signal a renewed push for constitutional reform on state policing — a long-debated issue in Nigeria’s political landscape.