President Bola Tinubu has thrown his weight behind the creation of State Police, urging senators to immediately begin the process of amending the Constitution to tackle Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.
Speaking during an interfaith Iftar with members of the Senate at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the President declared that the country is “extremely challenged” by terrorism, banditry and insurgency, and extreme measures can no longer wait.
“What I am asking for tonight is for you to start thinking how best to amend the Constitution to incorporate the State Police, for us to secure our country, take over our forests from marauders, free our children from fear,” he stated.
Tinubu praised lawmakers for their steady backing of his administration, promising not to take their support for granted.
“You never fail to make the right response to these calls. All the critical support that I’ve enjoyed, I will promise that I will continue to enjoy it and will not take you for granted,” Tinubu said.
The push for State Police comes days after he assured governors that the plan “will not be postponed.”
“What I promise you is not to be postponed. We will establish State Police to combat insecurity,” he said.
Nigeria’s current policing structure remains under federal control, a system critics say is overstretched and unable to effectively manage localised threats across the 36 states. While proponents argue State Police would ensure faster response and better community security, opponents warn of political misuse and financial strain.
Tinubu also used the occasion to hit back at critics accusing him of weakening opposition parties through defections to the ruling APC.
“What they call you, any name, any nickname, critics must talk. When they accused me of killing opposition, I didn’t have a gun. I could have given myself a license when I had the authority, but I can’t blame anybody from jumping out of a sinking ship,” the President stated.
Calling for unity across party lines, he urged leaders to confront insecurity together.
“We should pull together, unite in a way that our forefathers contemplated to bring about a constitutional democracy. It’s a good thing that we are working in harmony. We are looking for a country that evolves, that takes care of citizens and protects all of us,” Tinubu said.
On the economy, the President defended his reform agenda, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange unification, describing past subsidy practices as corrupt.
“I have a lot of credit for bold reforms. Without your collaboration, without your inspiration, those reforms are not possible. We are reformists together,” he stated.
“What we gave up and what we stopped is monumental corruption in subsidy. We gave it up. We don’t want to participate in monumental corruption, in arbitrage, foreign exchange. You don’t have to chase me for dollars like in the past,” he said.
Projecting confidence in Nigeria’s economic direction, Tinubu told senators the nation is stabilising.
“You could see what Nigeria is today. You should be proud, and I’m glad you are proud of this moment in time. What we are enjoying is a stable economy, prosperity beckoning on us. We just need to work hard,” Tinubu said.
He concluded by reflecting on the rare overlap of Ramadan and Lent, calling it a season of unity and national reflection.
“The season of reflection, sacrifice, compassion, and national unity is reflected by you tonight. And I don’t take it lightly,” he stated.
