Abuja:The Presidency has announced plans to transmit the National Policing Bill to the National Assembly within the next two weeks, following consultations with key stakeholders.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President and chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the bill, made this disclosure on Thursday after a steering committee meeting at the State House. He mentioned that the proposed legislation is nearly complete, with about 90 percent of the work done, but additional consultations are required to address observations made by governors.
Gbajabiamila described the bill as the most significant legislative effort of the current administration, highlighting the extensive discussions held since the steering committee’s initial meeting on August 3. He expressed optimism about the proposed constitutional amendments to establish state police, which he believes will receive the necessary support.
Reports indicate that only six states have passed the Sixth Constitution Alteration Bill concerning state police, which requires actions from all 36 state Houses of Assembly and the Federal Capital Territory. However, Gbajabiamila stated that there is a national consensus on the need for these amendments, dismissing any potential opposition.
The meeting included participation from prominent figures such as AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara, as well as the Governors of Ogun and Kaduna, Dapo Abiodun and Uba Sani, respectively. Other notable attendees were Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu, representatives from the Ministry of Justice, and members of various advisory committees related to police reform.