23 Delta Assembly Members Vote Unanimously For State Police Proposal
By PAULINA NZERUBE
THE Delta State House of Assembly has thrown its weight behind a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow states across Nigeria to establish their own police services.
During Tuesday’s plenary, the Assembly approved the proposed Sixth Alteration Bill to the 1999 Constitution, responding to an official request from the National Assembly for state legislatures to endorse the measure.
Speaker Emomotimi Guwor presented the National Assembly’s communication and explained that the proposal would introduce state police services while preserving the Nigeria Police Force as the federal policing institution.
Supporting the measure, House Leader Emeka Nwaobi said state-controlled police structures could strengthen security at the grassroots. According to him, allowing state governments to establish, finance and manage local police services could improve intelligence gathering and help officers respond more quickly to threats.
The proposal received unanimous support, with all 23 lawmakers voting in favour. Afterwards, Guwor praised members for their agreement and linked better security to economic growth, investor confidence and the state government’s M.O.R.E. Agenda.
To advance the process, the Speaker instructed the Clerk of the House to send the Assembly’s resolution back to the National Assembly for the next stage of legislative consideration.
Although Delta lawmakers have endorsed the proposal, their vote alone does not establish state police. The constitutional amendment must complete the applicable approval process before it can become law. Nevertheless, the Assembly’s decision adds Delta State’s support to the ongoing national debate over decentralising policing and improving security.
