Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has called for comprehensive constitutional, fiscal and judicial reforms, saying the conversation on state policing should move beyond its creation to addressing the broader challenges of Nigeria’s federal system.
Speaking during a Town Hall programme on Arise Television, Governor Soludo said the debate over whether Nigeria should establish state police has been settled, stressing that the focus should now be on the framework for effective implementation.
According to him, the country must build a security architecture that promotes seamless collaboration among federal, state and private security agencies while ensuring a sustainable justice system.
The governor argued that genuine federalism cannot be achieved without addressing what he described as the persistent fiscal imbalance between the Federal Government and the states.
He noted that although more responsibilities are gradually being transferred to states, the revenue allocation formula has remained largely unchanged, with the Federal Government retaining about 53 percent of national revenue, while the 36 states collectively receive about 26 percent.
Soludo advocated a restructuring of the revenue-sharing formula, proposing a leaner Federal Government with no more than 40 percent of national revenue, while greater financial resources should be allocated to states to enable them effectively discharge their constitutional responsibilities.
The governor also called for far-reaching judicial reforms, describing Nigeria’s largely centralized judicial system as a major obstacle to true federalism.
He proposed the establishment of State Courts of Appeal and State Supreme Courts to speed up justice delivery and reduce prolonged litigation. Citing Anambra State as an example, he lamented that many land-related cases often remain in court for decades before reaching final determination.
Governor Soludo commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for advancing conversations on federalism and expressed optimism that ongoing reforms, including efforts by states to establish their own correctional facilities, would strengthen Nigeria’s federal structure.
He reaffirmed his commitment to a governance system that promotes constitutional balance, empowers states, and enhances economic development across the federation.
