Senate President Godswill Akpabio has disclosed that about 30 state Houses of Assembly have endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police in Nigeria.

Akpabio expressed optimism that the amendment process was nearing completion, suggesting that the country could introduce a decentralised policing system soon to strengthen security and improve law enforcement at the community level.

He made the disclosure on Wednesday while receiving members of the Arewa Revival Project, a northern youth organisation with members across the 19 northern states, at his office in Abuja.

According to the Senate President, the proposed state police system would complement existing security structures and enhance the country’s capacity to tackle insecurity.

“As I speak with you now, for the first time in the history of Nigeria, it may not take us a month before we have a state police system, a decentralised policing in the country, because about 30 states have endorsed the amendment to the Nigerian constitution to bring about a state police system, which will further increase the security of the nation,” he said.

Akpabio expressed confidence that Nigeria would overcome its security challenges, urging the youths to remain hopeful about the country’s future and support efforts to restore peace and stability.

He maintained that decentralised policing would strengthen national security by improving the ability of law enforcement agencies to respond to threats within their respective communities.

Akpabio Urges Youths to Back Tinubu’s Re-election

Beyond the proposed police reform, Akpabio urged members of the Arewa Revival Project to intensify grassroots mobilisation for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

He argued that continuity in government would give the administration sufficient time to consolidate its economic reforms and security policies.

The Senate President also urged Nigerian youths to rise above what he described as paid social media propaganda against the administration.

He said the Tinubu government had taken steps to diversify the economy, reform the tax system and address longstanding structural challenges.

“I expect the Nigerian youth to rise above social media propaganda because this president has managed to take us out of a mono-economy, an economy that was dependent only on crude oil,” Akpabio said.

“He has brought innovations to bear through the tax reform system, through tinkering with anachronistic laws.”

Akpabio further claimed that the administration’s performance had earned it the support of the National Assembly, adding that lawmakers had endorsed Tinubu for a second term.

He said the president needed more time for his policies to produce their intended results, warning that changing the administration before the reforms had fully taken effect could undermine progress.

“You don’t change a winning team. He is doing so well. Allow his policies to crystallise. This is not somebody who is coming to experiment. He is already doing it,” he said.

Senate President Alleges Paid Social Media Attacks

Akpabio also alleged that some individuals attacking Tinubu and his supporters on social media were being paid to do so.

He encouraged the youths to organise periodic grassroots engagements to explain government policies and counter what he described as misinformation, rather than attempting to compete continuously with critics online.

“It is not going to be easy for you because most of those who are attacking the president and attacking these young men on social media are being paid. You are not being paid,” he said.

He added that gathering young people to discuss government policies could help them understand the administration’s position and communicate it to others.

The Senate President also said the government’s policies were intended to create a more stable future for younger Nigerians and ensure the country’s continued survival.

His remarks come amid ongoing discussions about constitutional reform and the proposed decentralisation of policing in Nigeria, as the country continues to grapple with security challenges.