The Senate has explained that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, will not be included in the proposed state police system because it lacks the constitutional institutions required to operate a state-controlled police force.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, stated that the FCT is different from the 36 states because it does not have a governor or a State House of Assembly.
In a statement on Friday, Adaramodu said Abuja is directly administered by the Federal Government through the FCT Minister, who operates under the directives of the Federal Executive Council, while legislative duties for the territory are handled by the National Assembly.
“I have heard many people raise a lot of questions on why the Federal Capital Territory is not among the plan for state police. The FCT issue is different. It is under the Federal Government,” he said.
The senator explained that since the FCT has no elected governor or state legislature, it cannot adopt the same policing structure being planned for Nigeria’s 36 states.
“The federal capital does not have an assembly. The National Assembly is the body that makes laws for the Federal Capital Territory. That’s why it has to be the same as what the Federal Government does. So, the federal police are responsible,” Adaramodu added.
The clarification comes as the Federal Government advances plans to establish a state police system aimed at improving security across the country.
President Bola Tinubu is expected to receive the draft of the Executive National Policing Bill on September 3 as part of efforts to reform Nigeria’s policing framework.
Samuel Agada is a writer and media contributor from Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He is a graduate of Biochemistry from the University of Jos and a former banker with GTBank and FCMB. A prolific writer, songwriter, educator, and Gospel preacher, he is passionate about informing, inspiring, and impacting society through his work.