Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has urged caution in the process of constitutional amendment and the establishment of state police in Nigeria. Speaking on Monday at a lecture series organized by the University of Ilorin’s Department of Political Science in collaboration with the Institute of Legislative Studies, Bamidele emphasized the need for careful consideration and planning.
In his lecture titled “Constitutional Amendment and Political Dynamics of State Policing in Nigeria,” Bamidele advocated for the decentralization of security affairs in the country. He highlighted the importance of proper control mechanisms to ensure the success of state policing.
“Another critical aspect to consider is the economic feasibility of state policing. Establishing and maintaining state police forces requires a significant financial investment. States must be prepared to allocate adequate resources for training, equipping, and remunerating their police personnel,” Bamidele stated.
He suggested that the Federal Government could assist this transition through grants and technical assistance to ensure no state is left behind due to financial constraints.
Bamidele stressed the importance of a collaborative approach, stating, “The path to constitutional amendment and the establishment of state policing in Nigeria must be carefully navigated. It requires broad consensus and collaboration among federal, state, and local governments.”