Abia State Government Clarifies Status of State Police Bill Approval

The Abia State Government has formally challenged recent media reports suggesting that the state has yet to approve the proposed State Police Bill. In an official statement released on Thursday, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, characterized the circulating reports as both inaccurate and misleading.

Confirmation of Legislative Action

According to the statement provided to Channels Television, the Abia State House of Assembly has already passed the legislation. The government emphasized that this action was taken as a critical component of the ongoing constitutional reform process, which is designed to bolster community-based policing efforts and enhance the overall security of lives and property within the state.

The administration stated that this legislative move underscores Abia’s alignment with the broader security vision championed by President Bola Tinubu. Officials have urged residents and media outlets to exercise caution, advising them to rely exclusively on verified information disseminated through official government communication channels.

Context of the National Constitutional Amendment

The clarification from the Abia State Government arrives during a pivotal phase of the national constitutional amendment process. The establishment of state-level police forces requires a significant threshold of support from across the federation. Under current constitutional requirements, the bill must be endorsed by at least 24 of the 36 State Houses of Assembly to proceed.

The process is currently being monitored at the federal level to ensure compliance with the required legislative timelines. On Wednesday, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele provided an update on the progress of the bill, noting that 30 state assemblies have already communicated their approval. The Senate has issued a deadline of November 15 for the remaining six states to finalize and report their decisions.

Commitment to Security Reform

Beyond the immediate clarification, the Abia State Government reaffirmed its broader commitment to collaborating with the Federal Government and other states to facilitate the successful implementation of state policing. The government also issued a call to action for the media, emphasizing the importance of verifying information with official sources prior to publication to prevent the spread of misinformation.

As the November 15 deadline approaches, the status of the remaining state assemblies remains a focal point for national security policy. While the Abia State Government has asserted its position, the broader national framework continues to move toward the required majority threshold for the constitutional amendment to take effect.

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p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Channels Television

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