Nigerian Senate defends passage of state police bill, citing national consensus and security needs
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The Nigerian Senate has defended its passage of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Alteration State Police Bill, 2026, stating that the creation of state police is driven by national consensus and the country’s security needs, not political considerations. The Red Chamber passed the bill on Wednesday after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support. While many stakeholders, including speakers of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, have welcomed the passage, some groups have raised concerns about potential worsening insecurity and abuse by governors. Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Senate Leader, described the bill as a "child of necessity" and a "product of national consensus." He explained that the proposal emerged from memoranda submitted to the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution and underwent extensive consultations with the Executive, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Police. Public hearings held across the six geopolitical zones in July 2025 showed overwhelming support for state police. Recommendations from the Nigeria Police, particularly on accountability and oversight mechanisms, were incorporated to prevent abuse. Bamidele noted the bill received broad bipartisan backing in both chambers of the National Assembly, with 84 out of 109 senators voting in favor. He emphasized that national security should transcend political affiliations and called on opposi
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Nigerian athlete Tobi Amusan secured a victory in the women's 100m hurdles at the Paris Diamond League, achieving a season-best time of 12.28 seconds. This performance at the Stade Charléty marked another Diamond League triumph for the world record holder. American hurdler Grace Stark finished second in 12.38 seconds, followed by compatriot Johnson in third with 12.39 seconds. Amusan's winning time matched her previous season's bests from the Xiamen and Rabat Diamond League meetings. The event took place under a revised schedule due to a severe heatwave in France, with track temperatures reaching 32 degrees Celsius. Amusan, 29, executed a flawless technical race, establishing a clear lead and comfortably cruising to the finish. This commanding victory in the French capital highlights her momentum leading into the Diamond League Final and sends a strong message to her rivals ahead of the post-season circuit.
Rabiu Kwankwaso, Vice Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress NDC, met with the party's National Leader, Seriake Dickson, in Abuja. Kwankwaso stated on his X handle that the meeting was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the party's unity and strategic readiness for the 2027 general elections. He expressed confidence in the judicial process and reaffirmed the party's commitment to democratic principles, urging members to remain calm and focused. Dickson confirmed the meeting on his Facebook page, noting they discussed issues of mutual interest and reaffirmed their resolve for multi-party democracy. He also briefed Kwankwaso on measures being taken to address the Federal High Court's ruling that vacated its earlier judgment compelling the registration of the NDC as a political party. The court's decision was based on the absence of all necessary parties during the initial judgment.
Dr. Tunji Alausa, Nigeria's Minister of Education, emphasized the critical need to preserve indigenous languages, stating they are vital for safeguarding the nation's history, identity, and cultural heritage. He made these remarks at the launch of "Yorùbá: A Tonal Language Homophones," a new book by author and linguist Bankole Awosika. The Minister commended Awosika's contribution, describing the publication as an important intellectual work that highlights the significance of indigenous languages in national development. He noted that such preservation helps maintain Nigeria's cultural identity and connects future generations to its rich linguistic heritage. The book delves into the tonal structure of the Yoruba language, explaining pronunciation, meanings, and cultural philosophy. The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture also affirmed the state government's commitment to promoting indigenous languages. Nigeria, with over 500 indigenous languages, faces the threat of extinction for many due to urbanization, increased English use, migration, and declining intergenerational transmission. The Federal Government supports mother-tongue instruction in early childhood education, a strategy experts believe improves literacy and preserves cultures. International organizations like UNESCO also advocate for multilingual education and the preservation of indigenous languages to prevent the loss of unique cultural knowledge.