Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin has disclosed that the proposed State Police Establishment Bill grants the President powers to intervene and take over the operations of any state police service found to be abused or operating in ways that threaten national security or the sovereignty of the federation.
Barau made the clarification while speaking on the ongoing constitutional amendment process aimed at establishing state police in Nigeria. He emphasised that the provision serves as a key safeguard to address widespread concerns that state governors might misuse state police formations to harass political opponents or violate citizens’ rights.
“If a state police service derails, compromises national sovereignty or acts in a manner inimical to the Federation, the President has the constitutional power to invoke the relevant provisions and authorise the Federal Police to immediately take over its operations,” Barau stated.
The Deputy Senate President further explained that the bill limits governors’ absolute control
