Following ongoing discussions over the establishment of state police as part of efforts to improve security and strengthen policing across Nigeria., the Senate has said the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, cannot have a state police structure because it does not have a governor or a State House of Assembly. The Senate has explained that the proposed state police system is designed for states that have their own elected governors and legislative assemblies.
According to the Senate, the FCT has a unique constitutional status as the nation’s capital and is administered differently from Nigeria’s 36 states. While Abuja has an FCT Minister appointed by the President, the Minister does not have the same constitutional powers as a state governor. The absence of a State House of Assembly also means the FCT does not have the legislative framework required under the proposed state police arrangement.
The position comes amid Lawmakers are considering how the proposed system can be implemented while addressing constitutional and administrative differences, including the special status of the FCT.
