By Teddy Nwanunobi
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Benjamin Kalu, has urged “Nigerians to embrace the benefits of state police,” rather than entertain fears.
Kalu, who spoke on Friday in defence of the proposed state police bill, also cleared fears of possible abuse by state governors.
The Deputy Speaker was speaking with journalists in Abuja, after returning from a week-long engagement at Chatham House and the London Climate Action Week in the United Kingdom.
He further cleared questions relating to possible political misuse of state police are legitimate, the National Assembly deliberately incorporated constitutional guardrails to prevent such excesses.
“The fear of a minor percentage of risk should not stop Nigerians from enjoying the major percentage of benefits that is found in that bill.
“Let me ask this question: How many governors have used state high courts to jail opposition members? What is the statistics out there?
“Yes, the fear is there; it is a legitimate fear. But what is more legitimate is that Nigerians should embrace the benefits of state police.
“Because of those concerns, while drafting this document, we ensured that there are clear guardrails defining the powers, duties and operational limits of state police,” he said.
Kalu explained that the constitutional amendment places policing on the Concurrent Legislative List while establishing national minimum standards that every state police organisation must comply with.
He stressed that the proposed legislation expressly prohibits state police from being deployed for partisan political activities or politically motivated conflicts.
The Deputy Speaker disclosed that the constitutional amendment would be followed by a consequential repeal and reenactment of the Police Act to provide the legal framework for implementing state police.
“There is going to be a consequential repeal and reenactment of the Police Act because it is going to be the implementation Act of the constitutional amendment we are making now.
“This means the President will champion the repeal and reenactment of the Police Act, and it is in that Act that many of the operational details Nigerians are currently concerned about will be adequately addressed,” he stated.
Speaking of his engagements at Chatham House, Kalu informed that the visit provided an opportunity to present Nigeria’s democratic reforms and constitutional innovations to influential international stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said Nigeria cannot afford to isolate itself from the international community, noting that perceptions formed abroad significantly influence diplomatic, economic and investment relations.
“Nigeria is in the comity of nations; we are not an isolated nation. One thing with global politics is that perception is everything. If you don’t communicate and frame your narratives properly, others will frame the narratives for you,” he said.
Kalu also spoke of his participation at the London Climate Action Week, stressing that he used the platform to attract investors to Nigeria’s climate adaptation, mitigation and energy transition programmes.