President Bola Tinubu has expressed readiness to work with the leadership and members of the House of Representatives on constitutional amendments that would enable the establishment of state police in Nigeria.
The President stated this at an interfaith breaking of fast he hosted for the leadership and members of the House at the State House, Abuja, where Muslim and Christian lawmakers gathered in a symbolic show of unity during the Ramadan and Lenten seasons.
The President acknowledged ongoing challenges across parts of the country and noted that lawmakers, as grassroots representatives, are often directly confronted by constituents over local security challenges.
“I see some of you on television going to your localities and face challenges. Now you know, more than anybody else, that security is local”, he said.
Speaking specifically on state policing, President Tinubu emphasised that decentralising security architecture is essential to effectively tackling emerging threats, but cautioned against a poorly structured approach.
“If security is local, we just have to work together to put pressure on our public to accept the need for state police.
“Amend it, not a straight free fall for everybody. Tie it in a way that will not be abused, like in the past. A good legislature must learn from the past to cure the present. On that, I’m ready to work with you”, he said.
The President maintained that such reforms must be structured to prevent abuse as witnessed in the past.
Describing the lawmakers turnout as a reflection of national cohesion, President Tinubu said the gathering underscored the importance of unity across party, religious and regional lines.
“It’s a very great honour for me to imagine this beautiful turnout to share in the joy of breaking of the fast both for the Muslims and Christians alike. You don’t celebrate anything else, but this unity given to us by Almighty God,” the President said.
Speaking on the early days of his administration, the President expressed gratitude to lawmakers for their steadfast support of his economic reform agenda, particularly during the challenging period that followed the removal of the fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira.
“It was very difficult at the beginning for people to realise the direction of my thinking. But I’m glad one thing didn’t happen; with the heat from the critics, none of you came to me to say, can you reverse the removal of subsidy, or can you change the foreign exchange flotation of naira? None of you”, he said.
The Nigerian leader recalled that the support of the National Assembly during a period he described as one of intense public criticism provided the critical encouragement needed to press ahead with reforms he considers fundamental to Nigeria’s economic recovery.
“You collaborated, you joined together as a team. You just gave me the inspiration to move on, because the heat was high voltage from the critics, but today, we are better off for it,” Tinubu stated.
Commending the Speaker for his leadership and the House for its sustained cooperation with the Executive arm of government, President Tinubu lauded what he described as the “richness” and “depth of consciousness” reflected in the quality of representation within the chamber.
“I thought I will charge you to pay for the dinner, but nevertheless, you indirectly paid for it. You spoke very well. You spoke as a team leader, a very good leader, and I’m happy to listen to you,” he said, praising the “richness” and “consciousness” of the representation in the chamber.
In his earlier address, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, who headed the delegation of lawmakers to the dinner, reaffirmed the commitment of the House to backing the agenda and leadership of President Bola Tinubu.
“Every member you see here, whether from the majority or from the minority, believes in what you are doing, believes in the direction of this government,” Abbas said.
He noted that the administration’s reforms were beginning to yield results and expressed confidence that greater achievements lay ahead.
“By the grace of God, things have started flowing, but I believe we have not even started seeing the best of you. The best of you will come in the next mandate, 2027 to 2031”, the Speaker said.
Friday’s interfaith breaking of fast was the third in its series, following the first hosted by the President for all state governors on Monday and for the leadership and members of the Senate on Wednesday.
