Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, have pledged to strengthen collaboration to ensure the speedy passage of the State Police Bill currently before the National Assembly.
The commitment was made on Tuesday during a meeting at the NGF Secretariat in Abuja, where both leaders reaffirmed their support for the proposed security reform.
In a statement shared on his verified Facebook page on Wednesday, Governor AbdulRazaq said the meeting formed part of ongoing consultations on the state policing initiative championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We had a very productive engagement. The meeting came amid the constitutional amendment process, which is expected to go through the State Assemblies,” the governor said.
“As this important national matter progresses, I look forward to continued collaboration with our Speakers and all relevant stakeholders in advancing reforms that serve the best interest of our nation,” he added.
Speaking after the meeting, Rt. Hon. Guwor, who is also the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, described the proposed legislation as a landmark step toward decentralizing security and deepening Nigeria’s federal system.
According to him, State Houses of Assembly are key stakeholders in the constitutional amendment process and are committed to giving the bill thorough legislative consideration to ensure it effectively addresses the country’s growing security challenges.
“The State Houses of Assembly are the closest to the people, and we understand the security challenges at the grassroots. We are ready to partner with the Governors and the National Assembly to ensure that the State Police Bill is passed in a manner that protects our people and reinforces true federalism,” Guwor said.
He also disclosed that the Conference of Speakers would work towards ensuring swift consideration of the bill by all 36 State Houses of Assembly once it is transmitted by the National Assembly.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently forwarded the Executive State Police Bill to the National Assembly as part of efforts to decentralize policing and tackle Nigeria’s worsening security situation. On Tuesday, the House of Representatives abandoned plans to amend the existing Police Act and instead resolved to consider the executive bill.
For the legislation to become law, it must secure approval by the National Assembly and be endorsed by a majority of the 36 State Houses of Assembly as required under the constitutional amendment process.
Both AbdulRazaq and Guwor expressed confidence that sustained collaboration between governors and state lawmakers would accelerate the bill’s passage and ultimately strengthen security across the country.
