Why FCT Cannot Have State Police – Senate Explains
Reported By Facthabournews
The Senate has explained why the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, is not included in the proposed state police arrangement currently being considered for Nigeria.
According to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, the exclusion of the FCT is linked to its unique constitutional and administrative status, which differs significantly from that of Nigeria’s 36 states.
Adaramodu explained that while each state has an elected governor and a State House of Assembly responsible for executive and legislative functions, the FCT does not have these institutions. Instead, Abuja is administered directly by the Federal Government through the Minister of the FCT.
The senator said the existing constitutional framework therefore makes it difficult to apply the proposed state-controlled policing structure to the nation’s capital in the same manner it would apply to the states.
He said questions had been raised by Nigerians over the absence of the FCT from discussions surrounding the proposed establishment of state police, stressing that the difference stems from the constitutional position of Abuja.
According to him, the FCT is not a state and does not have its own elected governor or legislature. Legislative responsibilities for the territory are performed by the National Assembly, while executive administration is carried out through the Federal Government.
The Senate spokesperson noted that the arrangement means security responsibilities within the FCT would continue to operate within the federal policing framework unless the constitutional structure governing the territory is changed.
The proposed state police system is part of broader efforts to reform Nigeria’s security architecture and improve the ability of law enforcement agencies to respond rapidly to crimes and security threats at the grassroots.
Supporters of state police have argued that the current centralised policing structure makes it difficult for the Nigeria Police Force to respond effectively to security challenges across the country’s vast geographical areas. They believe state-controlled police formations could improve intelligence gathering, community engagement and response times.
However, the proposal has also generated concerns about possible political interference, human rights abuses and the potential misuse of state security agencies by political office holders. These concerns have prompted calls for strong legal safeguards, professional standards and effective oversight mechanisms.
The Federal Capital Territory presents a different constitutional situation because of its status as the seat of Nigeria’s federal government. Unlike the states, it is administered under provisions of the Constitution that place significant responsibilities in the hands of federal authorities.
The clarification comes as the Federal Government moves forward with plans for broader policing reforms. The proposed reforms are expected to address the structure, funding, coordination and accountability of policing across the country.
The draft Executive National Policing Bill is expected to be presented to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on September 3, according to the information contained in the report.
As discussions continue, attention is expected to focus on how the proposed state police system will be structured, funded and supervised, as well as how it will interact with the Nigeria Police Force and other federal security agencies.
For the FCT, however, the Senate’s position is that its unique constitutional status means Abuja cannot simply adopt the same state police arrangement proposed for Nigeria’s 36 states without corresponding constitutional or legislative changes.