Boko Haram: Senators, Reps consider state police over Boko Haram.
The threats of Boko Haram and general insecurity in the country are threatening to spark a fresh round of agitation for state police.
The first sign of pressure appears to be building in the National Assembly where some members of the two chambers are said to be seriously weighing their options on the issue.
Many politicians, especially members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and top officials in the Presidency had, in the past, derided state police as divisive.
But with the obvious inability of the national police to check the growing cases of banditry and religious insurgency in parts of the country, some members of the National Assembly are beginning to have a rethink.
The idea is to include it in the proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution.
The Senate Committee on Constitution Review is due to meet in the first week after the National Assembly resumes from the Christmas/New Year break.
The Presidency, may also have to contend in the new year with a move by state governors to push through a new revenue sharing formula designed to put more money in the accounts of the states
The governors may use their agitation for the review of the allocation formula in bargaining with the Presidency over the amendments to the constitution.
Investigation showed that at a pre-sitting interaction by members of the Senate Committee on the Review of Constitution, some of them canvassed a strong opinion in favour of state police.
It was also learnt that some members of the House of Representatives have been lobbying members of the House Committee on Constitution Review for state police.
Some of us cannot even go home with the level of insecurity nationwide. And those who have travelled did so with heavy security network.
"It is now very glaring that it is imperative for Nigeria to have state police in the light of the security challenges facing the country.
"We are looking at ensuring true federalism in all facets of our national life, especially security. With the present police structure, we cannot guarantee adequate security for Nigerians.
"Most of us believe we need state police for a responsive security network at the grassroots. The only thing is that we might modify the structure of the state police. The law will be drafted in a way that state governors cannot turn state police into an instrument of oppression.’’
Asked if the Presidency would buy into the idea of state police, the source added: "We will also try to build consensus with the Executive on the structure of the state police we are trying to conceive.
"So, I can tell you that we are weighing options on state police."
On the governors' push for a review of the revenue sharing formula, it was gathered last night that the governors intend to use it to bargain with the Presidency on the proposed amendment to the constitution.
A governor, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: "We will not waiver in our desire for a new revenue formula even though the Presidency has not shown much commitment to this.
"It requires the consent of all state Houses of Assembly to pass all amendments into law. If President Goodluck Jonathan does not allow the review of the revenue formula, we will also lay an ambush for him.
"We are also going to use this agitation as a bargaining power.
The threats of Boko Haram and general insecurity in the country are threatening to spark a fresh round of agitation for state police.
The first sign of pressure appears to be building in the National Assembly where some members of the two chambers are said to be seriously weighing their options on the issue.
Many politicians, especially members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and top officials in the Presidency had, in the past, derided state police as divisive.
But with the obvious inability of the national police to check the growing cases of banditry and religious insurgency in parts of the country, some members of the National Assembly are beginning to have a rethink.
The idea is to include it in the proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution.
The Senate Committee on Constitution Review is due to meet in the first week after the National Assembly resumes from the Christmas/New Year break.
The Presidency, may also have to contend in the new year with a move by state governors to push through a new revenue sharing formula designed to put more money in the accounts of the states
The governors may use their agitation for the review of the allocation formula in bargaining with the Presidency over the amendments to the constitution.
Investigation showed that at a pre-sitting interaction by members of the Senate Committee on the Review of Constitution, some of them canvassed a strong opinion in favour of state police.
It was also learnt that some members of the House of Representatives have been lobbying members of the House Committee on Constitution Review for state police.
Some of us cannot even go home with the level of insecurity nationwide. And those who have travelled did so with heavy security network.
"It is now very glaring that it is imperative for Nigeria to have state police in the light of the security challenges facing the country.
"We are looking at ensuring true federalism in all facets of our national life, especially security. With the present police structure, we cannot guarantee adequate security for Nigerians.
"Most of us believe we need state police for a responsive security network at the grassroots. The only thing is that we might modify the structure of the state police. The law will be drafted in a way that state governors cannot turn state police into an instrument of oppression.’’
Asked if the Presidency would buy into the idea of state police, the source added: "We will also try to build consensus with the Executive on the structure of the state police we are trying to conceive.
"So, I can tell you that we are weighing options on state police."
On the governors' push for a review of the revenue sharing formula, it was gathered last night that the governors intend to use it to bargain with the Presidency on the proposed amendment to the constitution.
A governor, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: "We will not waiver in our desire for a new revenue formula even though the Presidency has not shown much commitment to this.
"It requires the consent of all state Houses of Assembly to pass all amendments into law. If President Goodluck Jonathan does not allow the review of the revenue formula, we will also lay an ambush for him.
"We are also going to use this agitation as a bargaining power.
No comments:
Post a Comment