Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has expressed support for the constitutional amendment seeking to introduce state police, though he insists on increased state authority over security and specific measures for parliamentary policing to safeguard lawmakers.
Obasa made the position known during plenary as the Assembly considered the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, transmitted to state legislatures by the National Assembly.
He commended President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, for their roles in advancing the proposed amendment.
Describing the move to establish state police as a step in the right direction, Obasa said the proposal reflected a long-standing aspiration to strengthen security across the country.
However, he expressed concern that the proposed provisions still concentrated substantial powers over policing at the federal level.
“While the proposed amendment represents a step in the right direction, there is still room for improvement to ensure that future administrations can strengthen the provisions and grant states greater authority in managing their security systems,” he said.
The Lagos Assembly Speaker also called for parliamentary policing to safeguard lawmakers, protect legislative institutions and enable legislators to perform their duties without threats to their safety.
He said protecting the legislature was essential to preserving its independence, strengthening democratic institutions and sustaining democracy.
Obasa reiterated his appreciation to Tinubu and the National Assembly leadership for advancing the state police proposal, urging all tiers of government to prioritise the security and welfare of Nigerians.
He also commended serving and former members of the Lagos Assembly for their contributions to legislative development and democratic governance.
Following the Assembly’s resolution in support of the proposed amendment, Obasa directed the Clerk, Adenike Oshinowo, to formally communicate the House’s position to the National Assembly.
What You Should Know
The Lagos State House of Assembly has officially backed the National Assembly’s bill proposing the creation of state police, marking a major step in the ongoing debate over restructuring Nigeria’s security architecture.
- Positive Impact: Decentralizing policing could empower states to tackle local security challenges more swiftly and effectively than a centralized federal force.
- Potential Concerns: Concerns remain over potential political overreach by state authorities and the need for robust checks and balances to prevent misuse of security powers.
