By Mercy Aikoye
Former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, has said the establishment of state police could strengthen Nigeria’s federal system and improve the capacity of security agencies to respond to threats at the grassroots.
Elumelu stated this in a goodwill message delivered on his behalf by Pastor Edward Ogude at the 2nd Annual House of Representatives Press Corps Distinguished Parliamentary Lecture in Abuja on Tuesday.
The lecture, organised by the House of Representatives Press Corps, was themed, “The Imperative for State Police: Securing Communities, Strengthening Federalism.”
He said the renewed debate over state police had become necessary amid persistent concerns about insecurity, community safety and the effectiveness of the country’s existing policing structure.
According to him, policing should be viewed beyond the deployment of personnel and security operations, as it also touches on governance, constitutional responsibilities and the relationship between the different tiers of government.
Elumelu said decentralising policing could enable security personnel to better understand the peculiarities of different communities and respond more promptly to threats against lives and property.
He, however, stressed that the proposed reform must be supported by clear professional standards, effective oversight and accountability mechanisms to prevent abuse.
He called for adequate training, welfare and funding for personnel, as well as mechanisms that would allow citizens to seek redress where their rights were violated.
The former lawmaker also warned against allowing political interests to undermine the effectiveness of state police, saying the reform must be structured in a manner that protects professionalism and public trust.
He said strengthening federalism required a balance between the need for national cohesion and the capacity of federating units to address the specific challenges confronting their people.
Elumelu therefore advocated sustained dialogue, constitutional review and institutional reforms to address concerns surrounding the proposed restructuring of Nigeria’s policing architecture.
He urged lawmakers, journalists, civil society organisations, academics and security professionals to contribute to the development of a policing framework capable of protecting citizens and improving public confidence.
He also charged the media, particularly the parliamentary press corps, to promote informed discussions on the issue through accurate reporting and effective scrutiny of public institutions.
Elumelu commended the House of Representatives Press Corps for sustaining the annual lecture, saying the platform would continue to provide an avenue for stakeholders to exchange ideas on critical national issues and contribute to policymaking.
