The National Economic Council (NEC) has reviewed proposals for the establishment of state police, following reports submitted by the 36 state governors.
The NEC meeting, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, included state governors, deputy governors, ministers, and presidential aides.
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, briefing journalists after the four-hour session, stated that the governors overwhelmingly supported state police as a solution to the security challenges in their regions.
“Every state has its unique security concerns, and many agree that state police is the way forward,” he said. However, deliberation on the matter was postponed until January 2024 to allow for more consultation and a comprehensive report from the NEC secretariat.
Governor Sani also highlighted the need for enhanced security measures due to ungoverned spaces and inadequate personnel in federal security agencies, asserting that state police could help address these gaps.
Flood Relief and Revenue Mobilisation Funding
The NEC approved additional funding for states impacted by recent floods to support affected communities. It also endorsed 0.05% of non-oil federation revenue for the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), following a report on its financial challenges.
Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, explained that the approved funding would help RMAFC modernise its operations and align with current fiscal realities. NEC also instructed the commission to draft a repeal-and-replace bill for its governing legislation.
Governor Soludo emphasized, “Adequate funding and an updated legal framework are critical for RMAFC to meet its obligations effectively.”