The Senate Committee on Constitution Review on Sunday concluded its two-day retreat on the amendments to the 1999 constitution in Kano.
During the retreat, the federal lawmakers agreed to include full autonomy for local governments in the country’s legal document. On the other hand, they expressed divergent opinions on state police.
Grassroots Parrot gathered that those in support said insecurity would be nipped in the bud if state police is created, while others in opposition said governors would abuse the opportunity to deal with their political opponents.
Among the senators in support of full autonomy for local governments included Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central); former Chief Whip, Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South); Chairman Senate Committee on Finance, Sani Musa (APC, Niger); Senators Abdulfatai Buhari, Osita Izunaso and Ned Nwoko.
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On state police, Senator Sani Musa backed the idea “when we are talking about State Police, every state in this country is facing insecurity and I believe that if we look at the issue of State Police, it will be good for us.” He said.
But Senator Ali Ndume countered Musa’s position, insisting that the police only need the support of the federal government in the areas of manpower and welfare.
“What we need is to increase the manpower of the police and improve their welfare for effective policing. State Police would be abused by the governors.” He said.
On creation of additional state, Senator Izunaso said, “The most important agenda the South East Caucus in the National Assembly has is to push for equity and justice. We need an additional state in the South East so that we come to terms with other zones in the country that all have six each.”
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Also, Senator Nwoko said, “The Anioma state creation for me is something that has to be done, if that is the only state that is created in this period, I will not be surprised. Agitation for Anioma state had been going on for almost 50 years, it is the oldest agitation for a state.”
The retreat was organised by the Senate committee on constitution amendment led by the deputy Senate president, Senator Barau Jibrin, in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC).