Senate President Godswill Akpabio says about 30 state Houses of Assembly have endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police in Nigeria.
Akpabio expressed optimism that the amendment process was nearing completion, saying decentralised policing would strengthen security by bringing law enforcement closer to communities.
He spoke in Abuja while receiving members of the Arewa Revival Project, a northern youth organisation with members across the 19 northern states.
“As I speak with you now, for the first time in the history of Nigeria, it may not take us a month before we have a state police system,” he said.
He added that the proposed reform would “further increase the security of the nation”.
State police would allow states to establish their own police structures alongside existing federal security agencies. However, the proposed constitutional amendment must complete the required legislative process before the system can be established.
Akpabio urges youths to support Tinubu’s re-election
The Senate president also urged members of the group to mobilise grassroots support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
He argued that the administration needed more time to consolidate its economic reforms and security policies, warning that changing the government before its policies produced results could undermine progress.
“You don’t change a winning team. He is doing so well. Allow his policies to crystallise,” Akpabio said.
He praised Tinubu’s efforts to diversify the economy beyond crude oil, reform the tax system and address longstanding structural challenges.
“I expect the Nigerian youth to rise above social media propaganda because this president has managed to take us out of a mono-economy, an economy that was dependent only on crude oil,” he said.
Akpabio also claimed that some social media users criticising the president and his supporters were being paid to do so, although he provided no evidence for the allegation.
“It is not going to be easy for you because most of those who are attacking the president and attacking these young men on social media are being paid. You are not being paid,” he said.
He advised the youths to organise regular grassroots engagements to explain government policies and counter what he described as misinformation, rather than attempt to respond continuously to critics online.
“You may not be able to have the kind of energy and time with them. But once in a while, gather the youth together and let them see the truth and know the truth,” he said.
Senate president backs Tinubu for second term
Akpabio further said members of the National Assembly supported Tinubu’s bid for a second term, praising the administration’s approach to economic and national security challenges.
“No president has achieved the level of development that he has done in this country today since independence,” he said.
He added that the government’s policies were intended to stabilise the country and improve prospects for future generations.
“I give glory to God that Nigeria is still surviving, and surviving because we have a president who thinks and somebody who wants to face challenges, and he is facing the challenges,” Akpabio said.
He urged the Arewa youths to remain confident in Nigeria’s future and support efforts to restore peace and stability.
