Insecurity: Governors Renew Push for State Police, Back Constitutional Reforms

The 36 state governors under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have renewed their support for the establishment of state police, describing it as a critical step towards addressing the country’s growing security challenges.

The governors made their position known after their second meeting of the year, held in Abuja from Wednesday into the early hours of Thursday.

In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said the governors received presentations from the NGF Secretariat and a delegation of state Attorneys-General on ongoing efforts to facilitate the creation of state police across the federation.

According to the communiqué, the governors emphasised that any framework for state policing must be constitutionally sound, consistent with the principles of federalism and protective of citizens’ rights.

The forum noted that extensive consultations had been undertaken with state Attorneys-General to review proposed constitutional amendments and legal frameworks that would guide the establishment and operation of state police structures.

The governors expressed confidence that the outcomes of the consultations would strengthen the collective position of states and support ongoing legislative efforts at the National Assembly.

Their renewed endorsement comes shortly after both chambers of the National Assembly advanced legislative proposals seeking constitutional backing for state police.

On June 11, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly supported a constitutional amendment bill aimed at establishing state police, with 289 lawmakers voting in favour and only one member opposing the proposal. The Senate also advanced a similar bill through second reading on the same day.

The governors recalled that they had earlier endorsed the development of a state police framework by the NGF Secretariat in preparation for constitutional reforms. The framework outlines governance structures, funding arrangements, operational standards, digital systems, oversight mechanisms and personnel requirements necessary for effective state policing.

Beyond security matters, the forum reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing reforms in the power sector.

The governors received a presentation on the National Solar Super-Grid Initiative, a proposal designed to improve electricity access through large-scale decentralised solar energy generation connected to a national high-voltage transmission network.

The forum pledged continued collaboration with federal authorities, development partners and private sector stakeholders to expand access to reliable and affordable electricity while pursuing reforms that improve governance, security and economic development across the country.