- The Senate Committee on Constitution Review agreed to include local government autonomy in constitutional amendments, while debates on state police continue
- Prominent senators expressed support for local government autonomy, emphasizing its potential to enhance grassroots governance and local development across Nigeria
The Senate Committee on Constitution Review has concluded its two-day retreat in Kano. Members reached an agreement to include full autonomy for local governments in the proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution.
However, the senators were divided over the creation of state police, sparking a debate on its potential impact.
The retreat, organized by the Senate Committee on Constitution Amendment and led by Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), provided a platform for robust discussions on various constitutional amendments.
Several prominent senators, including Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), former Chief Whip Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance Sani Musa (APC, Niger), and Senators Abdulfatai Buhari, Osita Izunaso, and Ned Nwoko, expressed strong support for granting local governments full autonomy.
The senators argued that local government autonomy is long overdue. They emphasized that it would empower local councils to operate independently, enhance grassroots governance, and improve development at the local level.
While there was consensus on local government autonomy, the topic of state police created a divide among the lawmakers. Some senators argued that establishing state police would strengthen security by providing localized solutions to the country’s security challenges.
Senator Sani Musa supported the idea: “When we are talking about state police, every state in this country faces one insecurity or the other. If we look at the issue of state police, it will be good for us.”
However, others, including Senator Ali Ndume, opposed the move, raising concerns about potential abuse by state governors. Ndume stated, “We need to increase the police manpower and improve their welfare for effective policing. The governors would abuse State police.”
The issue of creating new states was also prominently discussed. Senator Osita Izunaso highlighted the need for an additional state in the South-East, noting that it would promote equity and balance among Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
He argued, “The most important agenda for the South-East Caucus in the National Assembly is to push for equity and justice. We need an additional state in the South-East to come to terms with other zones in the country that all have six each.”
Similarly, Senator Ned Nwoko advocated for creating Anioma State, describing it as a long-standing demand that should be prioritized. “The Anioma state creation for me has to be done.
If that is the only state that is created in this period, I will not be surprised. Agitation for Anioma State has been going on for almost 50 years; it is the oldest agitation for a state,” he said.
The Senate Committee on Constitution Review will continue to collate and consider input from stakeholders across the country before finalizing recommendations for amendments to the 1999 Constitution.
Contentious issues, particularly around state police, are expected to generate more debate as the process unfolds.