Speakers of State Houses of Assembly have declared their support for the new state police bill.

This came just a day after the Senate passed the Constitution Alteration Bill, which aims to give states the power to run their own police forces to fight growing insecurity issues like kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism.

For this bill to officially become law, it must be approved by at least 24 of the 36 State Houses of Assembly before it goes to President Bola Tinubu for the final approval.

If the bill succeeds, it will create a two-part policing system. State governments will be allowed to run local police forces for day-to-day safety, while the federal Nigeria Police Force will still handle national issues like terrorism, cybercrime, and border security.

To help stop political abuse, the bill expands the National Police Council to include the President, state attorneys-general, and representatives from the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigeria Labour Congress, and the National Human Rights Commission to oversee how the police forces are run.

State lawmakers across the country are already moving to review the new bill. In Kano State, the House of Assembly immediately held a meeting with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to talk about what the law would mean for their state. Kamaluddeen Shawai, the spokesperson for the Kano Assembly, confirmed the meeting.

“We’re at the moment in a stakeholders meeting with the State Governor, Abba Yusuf.”

He added that the house would wait until after these talks to share its official position.

In Gombe State, Speaker Abubakar Luggerewo said his assembly views the bill as a good development but will still hold public hearings to make sure their local interests are safe.

“As soon as we receive communication from the National Assembly about the ratification of that bill, the House will receive and refer it to the committee led by the Deputy Speaker,” Luggerewo explained.

“From the committee stage, the House can be certain on the clauses of the bill. We will also look at our state’s peculiarities to be sure we are protected by the bill. If it suits our activities, we will go for it, but if we find in any way there are clauses we are not comfortable with, we will vote against it.”

Other state leaders shared different levels of readiness.

Akwa Ibom State Speaker Udeme Otong said his lawmakers need to see the physical bill and get feedback from the public before making any decisions.

On the other hand, Bayelsa State lawmakers said they are ready to pass it quickly. Brown Ebizi, the head of the Bayelsa Assembly’s information committee, stated, “We are in full support of the bill, and we believe that when it arrives in the state, we will work on it expeditiously. We are convinced that it is for the benefit of the state and the people.”

Speakers in Plateau and Ondo states also supported the reform, with Ondo Speaker Olamide Oladiji pointing out that regional security groups like Amotekun have worked well without being used as weapons against political opponents.

The bill also received backing from the Forum of Progressive Speakers under the APC and the broader Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures.

Haruna Dangyatin, the head of the APC speakers’ forum, called the Senate’s vote a big win for community governance. He promised that state assemblies would make sure the new police forces respect human rights and follow the law.

The Labour Party also gave its support. Labour Party spokesperson Ken Asogwa said, “The Labour Party commends the National Assembly, particularly the Senate, for its courage, swiftness and sense of patriotism in passing the State Police Bill recently transmitted to it by President Bola Tinubu.”

He acknowledged that some people worry governors might abuse state police, but noted, “The Labour Party is particularly encouraged by the constitutional safeguards embedded in the amendment bill, especially the provisions contained in section 17, which establish clear mechanisms to prevent abuse and ensure accountability in the operation of state police.”

However, the Peoples Redemption Party opposed the plan and told Nigerians to reject it. The party’s national chairman, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, argued that the current government does not have enough public trust to make such a big change to the country’s security system.

“The Peoples Redemption Party is deeply concerned over plans by President Tinubu’s administration to procure state police through constitutional amendment at a time when its credibility and competence are at an unprecedented low level in our democratic history,” Baba-Ahmed stated, adding that the decision should wait until after the next general elections.

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, Dr. Kelechi Anosike, has insisted that only the Wike-led faction of the PDP is recognised by law and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), dismissing the existence of any other faction of the party.

Anosike, while declaring his support for the faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, argued that the other factions are not recognised by INEC and that it would be a waste of time to run under any of them.

“There are not two PDPs. We have only one PDP, and it is the one recognised by INEC, with Nyesom Wike as our national leader. The others have moved to different parties,” he said.

He also claimed that, in Abia State, he remains the only candidate of the party and that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and four other political parties have aligned with the PDP in a bid to unseat Governor Alex Otti in the 2027 governorship election.

Speaking on the performance of Governor Alex Otti, Anosike said the administration had failed to adequately cater to the needs of young people in the state. He claimed that many Abia residents, particularly youths, had abandoned the Labour Party and were now supporting the PDP ahead of the next election.

“The Abia State government has neglected the people, especially the youths. There is no meaningful programme targeted at them. About 75 per cent of the youths are with us, and more are joining every day.

“They have adopted our party. Nigerians will see endorsements from these parties and understand that we are serious,” he added.

Responding to claims that he is being sponsored by influential political figures, the PDP candidate dismissed the allegations, insisting that his ambition is driven solely by divine direction.

“Nobody sent me. It is the Almighty God who sent me and is driving this process,” Anosike said.

He also denied reports linking his candidacy to former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

Anosike cautioned the Otti-led administration against what he described as the intimidation of opposition voices, urging the governor to be open to criticism and public scrutiny.

“If you have nothing to hide, there is no reason to clamp down on people expressing their opinions. If you believe you have performed well, present your achievements and defend them.

“During debates, we will ask critical questions and expect answers. Arresting people for speaking their minds only raises suspicions,” he said.

The PDP candidate further accused Governor Otti of focusing mainly on road construction while neglecting other critical sectors of the economy.

According to Anosike, infrastructure development alone is insufficient to improve citizens’ welfare, arguing that the state government has failed to address growing poverty and economic hardship.

He also claimed that the Otti administration has benefited from increased federal allocations under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“Previous administrations received as little as N3 billion monthly, whereas the current government receives as much as N30 billion.

“With such resources, road construction alone should not be celebrated as an extraordinary achievement,” he said.