17th May, 2024
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has again reiterated its position on State Police with a call to the National Assembly, Presidency and other relevant stakeholders to leverage on the ongoing constitutional review exercise to give approval for State Police.
The call was contained in a communique issued at the end of the general meeting of the Conference held in Abuja.
The Conference maintained that the worsening cases of insecurity across the nation necessitated its stand on State Police.
Speaking after the meeting, the Chairman of the Conference who is the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin said all the 36 Speakers of State Legislatures in the country expressed concerns over the spate of insecurity in Nigeria.
“As a Conference, we are strongly advocating for State Police to curb the lingering insecurity in our dear nation. We want the National Assembly committee on the review of the constitution to list the issue of creation of State Police amongst issues to be considered in the review, and we will ensure speedy passage of the amendment at our various State Assemblies. It is long overdue and we need to act fast,” he said.
In the meantime, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures has made a passionate appeal to political gladiators in Rivers State to seek peaceful means of resolving the crisis between the Legislative and Executive arms of Government in the State.
The Speakers who acknowledged the courage of the Presidency especially on economic matters such as the removal of petroleum product subsidy and the floating of the exchange rates, expressed worry over the effects of these policies on the populace.
They therefore urged the Federal and State Governments to initiate sustainable economic policies with equal measures of courage to ameliorate the sufferings of the people.
On financial autonomy, the conference queried the implementation of the autonomy in breach by State Governors, and appealed to relevant stakeholders to comply with all the provisions of financial autonomy in the constitution.