Tinubu to Senators: Consider State Police in Constitution Amendment

President Bola Tinubu has urged the National Assembly to consider the establishment of state police as part of the ongoing amendment to the 1999 Constitution.

The President made the call while breaking fast with senators at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he encouraged lawmakers to be courageous and forward-looking in their constitutional review process.

According to him, the country requires bold reforms to address its security and governance challenges. He, however, cautioned the legislators to be mindful of what he described as “banana peels” that could derail the amendment process.

Tinubu commended the National Assembly for its cooperation with the executive arm on key national reforms, describing the relationship between both arms of government as harmonious and driven by a shared commitment to national unity, stability and prosperity.

Responding to criticisms that his administration is suppressing opposition voices and allegedly steering the country towards a one-party state, the President dismissed the claims.

“I don’t have a licensed gun to kill opposition,” Tinubu said, stressing that he cannot be blamed for political realignments and internal crises within opposition parties.

He maintained that political developments within parties are products of democratic choices and not executive interference.

In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, reaffirmed the commitment of the Senate to constructive engagement with the executive, particularly on constitutional reforms and national security matters.

Akpabio assured the President that the upper legislative chamber would carefully consider proposals aimed at strengthening governance and improving security architecture across the country, including the issue of state policing.

The meeting formed part of ongoing consultations between the executive and the legislature on critical national issues.