- President Tinubu urges lawmakers to embed state policing in the 1999 Constitution to tackle terrorism and banditry.
- Senate President Godswill Akpabio pledges total loyalty, vowing that no executive bill will die in the chamber.
- The President defends fuel subsidy removal and forex reforms as essential steps to end monumental corruption.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally called on the Senate to initiate an amendment to the 1999 Constitution to facilitate the establishment of state police.
Eko Hot Blog reports that speaking during an interfaith breaking of fast (Iftar) with the leadership and members of the Senate at the State House on Wednesday night, the President emphasized that Nigeria’s security architecture requires an urgent and radical restructure.
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He noted that the persistent challenges of terrorism, banditry, and insurgency necessitate a shift that allows subnational governments to take more direct responsibility for securing their territories and forests from marauders.
The President’s latest appeal marks a significant escalation in a policy goal he has pursued throughout 2024 and 2025.
He reminded the lawmakers that the security situation is causing havoc across the nation and urged them to pull together in unity to realize a constitutional democracy that protects all citizens.
This push for state police follows a series of high-level meetings over the past two years, including a joint committee established with the 36 state governors and several earlier pleas to the National Assembly to review laws allowing states to create their own policing structures.
Addressing the economic state of the nation, President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the Senate for its collaboration on bold reforms.
He specifically defended the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of foreign exchange, describing these measures as painful but necessary to stop monumental corruption and arbitrage.
He argued that these reforms have laid the groundwork for a more stable and prosperous economy, even if the immediate effects have been challenging for the populace.
In response to the President’s request, Senate President Godswill Akpabio assured the executive of the chamber’s unwavering support.
Akpabio noted that the Senate painstakingly reviews all executive proposals to ensure they serve the national interest, even when faced with public or social media criticism.
He vowed that no executive bill sent by the President would ever “die on first reading,” emphasizing the loyalty and cooperation between the two arms of government.
Akpabio also expressed optimism that Nigeria would see significant prosperity under the current administration’s leadership by 2031.
The gathering, which brought together Christian and Muslim lawmakers during the overlapping periods of Lent and Ramadan, served as a symbolic moment of national harmony.
President Tinubu dismissed accusations that he was attempting to stifle political opposition, noting that recent defections to the ruling party were choices made by individuals “jumping out of a sinking ship.”
The Iftar concluded with collective prayers for the wisdom and strength of the nation’s leadership as they navigate the complex interplay of economic recovery and national security.
