President Bola Tinubu has urged the House of Representatives to ensure that the creation of state police comes with strict safeguards to prevent misuse by state governors.

Speaking during an interfaith Iftar with members of the House at the Presidential Villa, Tinubu said the establishment of state police should not be a “free-for-all” and must include checks and balances based on lessons from past experiences. He referenced the First Republic, when regional police were allegedly used to intimidate political opponents.

“This is not about giving everyone free rein. We must design the system to prevent abuse while strengthening local security,” he said.

This is the third time Tinubu has publicly pushed for the state police within a week. Earlier, he appealed to governors and senators, highlighting the need for constitutional amendment to make the plan a reality.

He emphasized that local security challenges require local solutions, saying state-level policing could improve response times, community policing, and intelligence gathering.

Critics, however, warn that governors could exploit state police for political gain, electoral manipulation, or personal vendettas. The creation of state police would require approval from two-thirds of the National Assembly and ratification by at least 24 of the 36 state assemblies.

Tinubu also praised lawmakers for supporting his administration’s economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira.

He commended Speaker Tajudeen Abbas for his leadership and acknowledged the ongoing security challenges across Nigeria, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, and kidnappings in several states.

The National Assembly is currently on recess and will resume in March 2026, where discussions on the constitutional amendment are expected to continue.