‘Security Is Local’, Tinubu Speaks To Reps On State Police

President Bola Tinubu, on Friday, urged members of the House of Representatives to urgently initiate constitutional amendments to pave the way for the establishment of state police, declaring that Nigeria’s security challenges required decentralised solutions rooted in local realities.

Tinubu made the call during an interfaith breaking of fast he hosted for the leadership and members of the House at the State House, Abuja, where he emphasised that lawmakers, as grassroots representatives, understand firsthand the security pressures facing their constituents.

The development comes about 48 hours after he appealed to Senators on the need to have state police.

“I see some of you on television going to your localities and face challenges. Now you know, more than anybody else, that security is local,” the President said.

He stressed that decentralising policing powers would strengthen Nigeria’s ability to respond effectively to insecurity.

“If security is local, we just have to work together to put pressure on our public to accept the need for state police,” Tinubu said.

The President, however, warned that the process must be carefully structured to prevent abuse.

“Amend it, not a straight free fall for everybody. Tie it in a way that will not be abused, like in the past. A good legislature must learn from the past to cure the present. On that, I’m ready to work with you,” he told the lawmakers.

The President’s remarks signalled a renewed push by his administration to reform Nigeria’s security architecture through constitutional changes, a longstanding issue that has generated debate across political and regional lines.

Tinubu noted that lawmakers were uniquely positioned to drive the reforms because of their direct engagement with communities affected by insecurity.

He also commended the House for its support of his administration’s policies since assuming office, particularly during difficult economic reforms such as the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira.

“It was very difficult at the beginning for people to realize the direction of my thinking. But I’m glad one thing didn’t happen; with the heat from the critics, none of you came to me to say, can you reverse the removal of subsidy, or can you change the foreign exchange flotation of naira. None of you,” he said.

According to him, the National Assembly’s backing provided the encouragement needed to continue implementing reforms aimed at stabilising the economy.

“You collaborated, you joined together as a team. You just gave me the inspiration to move on, because the heat was high voltage from the critics, but today, we are better off for it,” Tinubu added.

The President described the interfaith gathering, attended by Muslim and Christian lawmakers during the Ramadan and Lenten seasons, as a reflection of national unity and cohesion.

“It’s a very great honour for me to imagine this beautiful turnout to share in the joy of breaking of the fast both for the Muslims and Christians alike. You don’t celebrate anything else, but this unity given to us by Almighty God,” he said.

Earlier in his remarks, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, reaffirmed lawmakers’ support for the President’s leadership and reform agenda, pledging bipartisan cooperation.

“Every member you see here, whether from the majority or from the minority, believes in what you are doing, believes in the direction of this government,” Abbas said.

He expressed optimism about the administration’s trajectory, adding that its policies were beginning to produce results.

“By the grace of God, things have started flowing, but I believe we have not even started seeing the best of you,” the Speaker said.

The interfaith dinner was the third hosted by the President in recent days, following similar engagements with state governors and members of the Senate, as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration among key arms and tiers of government.