State Assemblies Vow To Accelerate Action On Police Bill

Felix Igbekoyi, Asaba, Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin, Damilola Origbemisuyi, Akure, Abu Nmodu Minna, Achor Abimaje, Jos, Emmanuel Mgbeahurike, Owerri, Aza Msue, Makurdi

Houses of Assembly in states that have not taken action on passage of the Police Bill have given indications of intensifying action on it, findings by our correspondents from across the states have shown.

Delta State House Of Assembly for instance has enlisted the Police Bill for legislative processing this Tuesday.

The chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Hon. Dennis Guwor, earlier assured that the conference would subject the bill to thorough legislative scrutiny on merit.

According to him, the proposal on state police requires careful engagement given its implications for sub-national governance.

Guwor who is the speaker of the Delta State Assembly, disclosed that the conference intends to engage the leadership of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to harmonise perspectives on the proposed state police framework before state assemblies take final positions.

He noted that such engagement was important considering the constitutional roles of governors and state legislatures in the reform process.

Guwor assured that all speakers would be duly carried along on developments and that resolutions of state assemblies would be communicated to the National Assembly in line with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

“I can confirmed that the bill has been received by the House and due legislative process is being followed.

“The position of the House would be made public after due consultation with critical stakeholders. The interest of Deltans remains uppermost to the Assembly, hence the need for due diligence,” Guwor stated.

The clerk to the National Assembly earlier confirmed that the Sixth Alteration Bill, including the State Police Bill had been transmitted to state assemblies.

Elsewhere in Kwara State, our correspondent reports that the House of Assembly is likely to consider and passed the bill this week.

An official of the assembly disclosed this during an interview with LEADERSHIP on Friday.

The clerk of the House, Alh AbdulKarerm Olayiwola Ahmed, also told our reporter to wait till Tuesday for more information on the bill.

“The State Police Bill is receiving the attention of the House. It shall be considered soon,” Ahmed said.

The chairman, House Committee on Information, Hon. Rukayyat Shittu corroborated the clerk’s position.

She said the Bill would soon be presented at the floor of the House for deliberation and consideration.

“Work is in progress on the passage of the State Police Bill,” Shittu said.

‎The Ondo State House of Assembly says it is still working on the bill which has been referred to the Committee of the Whole House for consideration.

‎‎The Majority Leader of the Assembly, Olatunji Oshati, disclosed this while speaking with our correspondent in Akure.

‎‎Oshati said the bill had been received by the House and committed to the Committee of the Whole House to allow all lawmakers to contribute to its consideration.

‎‎He explained that the bill was not assigned to a specialised committee, as all members of the Assembly would be given the opportunity to express their views on the proposed legislation.

‎‎“We are still working on it. As a matter of fact, we are working on it. We’ve received it in the House and it has been committed to the Committee of the Whole House.

‎“That’s the way we put it. So, it does not have a specialised committee. It has to be the Committee of the Whole House where everybody will be allowed to speak to the bill,” he said.

‎In Niger State, the bill is being considered by the state assembly as it has gone through the first reading on the floor of the House. The House while acknowledging that their journey to China delayed the first reading the promised to expeditiously commence the necessary legislative consideration.

The press secretary to the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly Rt. Hon Naanlong Daniel, Mr Philip Eplong, says the house has formally commenced reading and legislative review of the bill after it was transmitted through Governor Caleb Mutfwang.

According to him, the speaker, Naanlong Daniel, has expressed strong support for the creation of state police to help address ongoing security challenges in communities like Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, and Mangu, directing the House to accelerate its review

He said the Assembly was not facing a specific targeted delay or rejection; instead, it is actively considering and processing the bill.