Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate leader, says the proposed state police service must be guaranteed independent funding under the constitution to prevent abuse by governors and other vested interests.
Bamidele, who is also vice-chairman of the senate committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution, spoke in a statement issued on Wednesday while responding to concerns raised by stakeholders over the state police proposal.
The senate leader acknowledged that many of the concerns expressed by Nigerians are legitimate, noting that such reservations were informed by the country’s experience under the First Republic when regional governments controlled police forces.
He said the national assembly is addressing those concerns by building multiple safeguards into the constitutional amendment.
‘FUNDING SHOULD BE A FIRST-LINE CHARGE’
Bamidele said one of the key safeguards being considered is to make funding for state police services a first-line charge in the constitution, similar
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