The federal lawmaker representing the Ibadan North-west/Ibadan South-west constituency, Hon. Adedeji Dhikrullahi Stanley Olajide, has described the passage of the Nigeria state police bill as a landmark step toward resolving the country’s security challenges.
Olajide, who serves on the House of Representatives constitution review committee, stated that the legislative amendment will establish a more responsive and decentralised policing framework across the federation.
The federal lawmaker, who is also the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) candidate for Oyo South senatorial district in the upcoming 2027 general elections, shared these thoughts following a crucial legislative sitting. The House of Representatives recently considered and passed the constitutional amendment proposal during a session led by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
Decentralised Policing Framework to Stop Insecurity
For years, local leaders have argued that a single, central command cannot effectively protect a vast nation. The new legislative proposal aims to create a solid constitutional framework to establish state-led law enforcement agencies. According to Olajide, this shift is vital to improve the country’s security architecture and truly promote the nation’s federal system.
The existing centralized policing structure has become increasingly overstretched in the face of emerging security threats, including kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, armed robbery and other violent crimes confronting various parts of the country.
The proposed system aims to change this dynamic by shifting power closer to the communities. Olajide noted that the new model would enhance local intelligence gathering, improve response time to security threats, and empower sub-national governments to play a more active role in protecting lives and property within their jurisdictions.
“The security challenges confronting our nation require innovative, practical and locally responsive solutions. The passage of the state police bill by the House of Representatives represents a necessary step towards reinforcing internal security and ensuring that communities are better protected,” he said.
Global Models Inform House of Representatives Constitution Review
The push for this reform aligns Nigeria with modern global standards. The lawmaker observed that many advanced federal democracies operate decentralized policing systems with varying levels of state, provincial or local police structures working alongside federal law enforcement agencies.
He cited the example of the United States, where policing responsibilities are shared among federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement agencies, allowing security institutions to respond more effectively to local realities and peculiar challenges.
Addressing critics who fear that local governors might misuse state law enforcement, Olajide stated that the proposed Nigerian model contains safeguards designed to prevent abuse while promoting accountability, professionalism and operational efficiency, while the framework includes oversight mechanisms, state police service commissions and provisions for federal intervention in cases of abuse or threats to national security.
A Call for Senate Concurrence
With the house passing the bill, the focus now shifts to the upper chamber. Olajide called on the senate to accord the proposal accelerated consideration and concurrence in view of the urgent security realities facing the country.
“I urge our distinguished senators to give this constitutional amendment the attention and urgency it deserves. Nigerians have waited for this reform for many years and the time has come to take decisive action in the interest of national security,” he stated.
Oyo State Prepared for New Policing Powers
When the Nigeria state police bill becomes law, regional governments must be ready to build these new forces from scratch. Speaking on the readiness of the states to take up the challenge ahead of state police, Hon. Olajide expressed optimism that Oyo state as a case study is well positioned to become one of the leading beneficiaries of the proposed reform when eventually enacted.
He noted that Oyo state already possesses many of the institutional and administrative structures required to support an effective state police system.
The Oyo state House of Assembly has consistently demonstrated legislative capacity and would be prepared to act expeditiously whenever the constitutional amendment is transmitted to state legislatures for ratification.”As a state, we have shown commitment to innovative governance, security collaboration and institutional development. I have no doubt that Oyo state will be among the leading states in implementing this reform when it becomes law,” he added.
Ibadan State Creation Demands Gain Ground
Beyond security, the House of Representatives constitution review has brought long-standing regional ambitions back to the analytical forefront. On the long awaited issue of state creation taking the front burner in the constitution amendment exercise, the lawmaker expressed confidence that the agitation for Ibadan state creation will eventually see the light of the day as it remains one of the highly favoured proposal placed before the committee.
He said the agitation for Ibadan state has matured beyond mere political aspiration into a legitimate constitutional demand hinged on equity, administrative convenience, economic viability and the desire to bring governance closer to the people. He therefore called on all stakeholders to rally support for the proposal as the amendment process progresses.
