Osun Assembly first to approve State Police Bill

The clamour for decentralisation of police authorities have received a boost with the Osun Assembly becoming the first state legislature to approve the proposed constitutional amendment for the establishment of state police.

The National Assembly transmitted the State Police Services Bill to the 36 State Houses of Assembly.

Following the transmission of the bill, lawmakers of the Osun State House of Assembly unanimously approved the proposed constitutional amendment after deliberations.

Osun Speaker, Adewale Egbedun, earlier read a letter from the National Assembly, “requesting state Houses of Assembly across the federation to deliberate on and approve the proposed constitutional amendment.”

The Speaker further explained that “the amendment had been forwarded to the House for its consideration and approval as part of the constitutional amendment process.”

In separate submissions, the lawmaker representing Ife South State Constituency, Lawrence Adeoti, and Taofeek Olayiwola, representing Ede South State Constituency, supported the passage of the bill, noting that the establishment of state police would further enhance security across the country.

Also contributing to the debate, Adewumi Adeyemi, representing Obokun State Constituency, and Jeremiah Awoyeye, representing Ife Central State Constituency, described the proposed establishment of state police as timely.

They also said that, when established, state police would strengthen the security architecture of the country, particularly at the state and local government levels.

They maintained that the proposed amendment would “enhance the ability of states to provide adequate security personnel and respond more effectively to security challenges within their respective jurisdictions.”

After the deliberations, the Assembly’s Majority Leader, Babajide Kofoworola, representing Ede North State Constituency, moved the motion for the House to support the proposed amendment.

The motion was subsequently seconded by Tajudeen Adeyemi, representing Ifelodun State Constituency.