The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has assured Nigerians that the proposed constitutional amendment to establish state police contains adequate safeguards to prevent abuse by state governments and ensure accountability.

Speaking in Abuja during a meeting with members of the diplomatic community, Kalu said concerns that state governors could use state police to intimidate political opponents have been carefully addressed in the proposed legislation through constitutional checks and institutional oversight.

According to him, the objective of the bill is not only to decentralise policing but also to establish a framework that guarantees transparency, professionalism and accountability in the operation of state police services.

He explained that the proposed legislation includes constitutional guardrails designed to prevent misuse of state-controlled police formations, insisting that the safeguards would ensure the new policing structure operates within clearly defined legal limits.

Kalu, who also chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review, said the current centralised policing system is no longer sufficient to meet Nigeria’s growing security challenges, given the country’s vast landmass and rapidly increasing population.

He argued that decentralised policing would enable states to respond more effectively to local security threats by allowing officers who understand the terrain, culture and peculiar security dynamics of their communities to play a greater role in maintaining law and order.

The Deputy Speaker noted that the proposed framework provides for clearly defined jurisdictions, independent oversight mechanisms, professional recruitment standards and coordinated command structures to ensure effective collaboration between federal and state security agencies.

He added that many federal countries around the world operate decentralised policing systems that combine local policing with national coordination, saying Nigeria stands to benefit from a similar model.

The proposal for state police has generated widespread debate in recent years, with supporters arguing that it is necessary to address rising cases of banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and communal violence across the country.

However, critics have expressed fears that state-controlled police could be used for political purposes or to suppress opposition figures, concerns that Kalu said the constitutional amendment seeks to address through robust legal and institutional safeguards.

Beyond security reforms, the Deputy Speaker appealed for continued international support for Nigeria’s ongoing constitutional amendment process, describing it as a critical step toward strengthening democratic governance, improving public service delivery and enhancing national development.

He disclosed that the constitutional amendment bills have progressed through the National Assembly and are now awaiting consideration by the required number of state Houses of Assembly before they can proceed for presidential assent.

Kalu also renewed his call for support for the proposed Reserved Seats for Women Bill, saying increased female representation in governance is essential for inclusive democracy and sustainable economic growth.

He further highlighted other major constitutional reform proposals under consideration, including measures to strengthen local government autonomy, reform citizenship laws, enhance judicial independence, improve the electoral system, promote fiscal restructuring and expand the protection of fundamental human rights.