Sixteen state governors have submitted reports to the National Economic Council (NEC) supporting the establishment of state police and recommending changes to the constitution for this purpose. The reports were presented at the 140th NEC meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja. Stanley Nkwocha, the Special Adviser to the Vice President on Media and Communications, disclosed this in a statement titled, ‘NEC endorses take-off of $617M i-DICE programme across states.’
According to Nkwocha, NEC is still awaiting reports from 20 states but expressed confidence that others would also support the establishment of state police. NEC, established by the provisions of section 153(1) and Paragraphs 18 & 19 of part I of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), comprises the 36 state governors, the Governor of the Central Bank, and other co-opted government officials. It meets monthly to advise the President on economic affairs and coordinate economic planning efforts of the various governments.
During Thursday’s NEC meeting, the Secretary to NEC, Mr. Nebeolisa Anako, presented submissions by states on the state policing initiative. Sixteen states have submitted reports on the establishment of state police, while 20 states are yet to send in reports. All states expressed their support for the initiative and recommended changes in the constitution and current policing structure to enable its operationalization. However, no specific states were named, and the total number of supportive states will be presented at the next NEC meeting as the compilation is ongoing.
