President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, says about 30 state Houses of Assembly have endorsed the proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police in Nigeria.
Akpabio expressed optimism that the amendment process was nearing completion, suggesting that the country could adopt a decentralised policing system within a month.
He spoke on Wednesday when members of the Arewa Revival Project, a northern youth organisation with membership across the 19 northern states, visited him at his office in Abuja.
According to the Senate President, state police would complement existing security structures and strengthen efforts to tackle insecurity by bringing law enforcement closer to communities.
“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’s comments came days after reports indicated that 24 state Houses of Assembly had approved the proposed amendment, highlighting what lawmakers have described as progress towards decentralising the country’s policing system.
He expressed confidence that Nigeria would overcome its security challenges, urging young people to remain optimistic about the country’s future.
“I always tell them that the devil that you see today, you will soon see them no more. Very soon, we shall overcome the insecurity that we face today. So, feel confident as you go round campaigning,” he said.
Akpabio Urges Youths to Support Tinubu
The Senate President also urged the northern youths to intensify grassroots mobilisation for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, arguing that continuity in government would give the administration more time to consolidate its economic reforms and security policies.
He called on young Nigerians to rise above what he described as paid social media propaganda against the administration.
Akpabio said Tinubu 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.
“He has brought innovations to bear through the tax reform system, through tinkering with anachronistic laws,” he said.
Akpabio maintained that the administration’s performance had earned it the support of the National Assembly, adding that lawmakers had endorsed Tinubu for a second term.
“No president has achieved the level of development that he has done in this country today since independence. The naysayers will not want to say so, but I am very proud, and members of the National Assembly are very proud.
“We hold our heads very high and say, yes, we have given him a pass mark and that we have endorsed him to come for a second term in office,” he said.
He attributed Nigeria’s continued survival amid economic and security challenges to what he described as the President’s willingness to confront difficult issues.
“I give glory to God that Nigeria is still surviving, and surviving because we have a president who thinks and somebody who wants to face challenges, and he is facing the challenges,” Akpabio added.
‘Don’t Change a Winning Team’
Akpabio urged Nigerians to support continuity in government, warning that replacing the administration before its policies had fully matured could undermine the progress made so far.
“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.
He added that the administration’s policies should establish a stable foundation for younger generations and secure the country’s future.
“Whatever we are doing today, we are doing it to stabilise your future and ensure the survival of Nigeria. So, it is good that you are seeing it,” he said.
Akpabio Warns Against Paid Social Media Attacks
The Senate President alleged that some individuals attacking Tinubu and his supporters on social media were being paid to criticise the administration.
He challenged the Arewa youths to counter what he described as misinformation by organising grassroots engagements to explain government policies and communicate the administration’s position to the public.
“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,” Akpabio said.
He advised the youths against attempting to compete continuously with critics online, urging them instead to organise periodic meetings to engage their peers.
“You may not be able to have the kind of energy and time with them. But once in a while, gather the youth together and let them see the truth and know the truth,” he said.
Akpabio concluded by criticising those he accused of undermining the administration, arguing that creating uncertainty around government policies was not in the country’s best interests.
“Attacking a government that is working well for them, trying to bring uncertainty, is not the best,” he added.