Lagos Speaker Obasa Critiques Proposed State Police Reforms

The debate over Nigeria’s security architecture has intensified following remarks by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa. During a plenary session on Tuesday, Obasa addressed the ongoing legislative process regarding the establishment of state-level policing, cautioning that the current framework for reform may fall short of its intended goals.

The Call for Decentralization

According to the Daily Post Nigeria, Speaker Obasa emphasized that for state police to function effectively, the current model of federal oversight must be dismantled. He argued that the introduction of state-controlled security units is a necessary step toward decentralizing Nigeria’s security apparatus, which has historically been managed primarily at the federal level.

Obasa’s comments come as the Lagos State House of Assembly formally considered the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sixth Alteration Bill, 2026. This bill, transmitted by the Clerk of the National Assembly, requires ratification by state assemblies in accordance with Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution.

Concerns Over Federal Dominance

While the Speaker acknowledged the legislative progress, he expressed significant reservations regarding the distribution of power in the proposed amendment. Obasa highlighted that the bill, in its current form, continues to concentrate substantial authority at the center rather than granting states the autonomy required for true federalism.

Key points raised by the Speaker include:

• Operational Control: Obasa noted that the proposed amendment fails to resolve fundamental questions regarding who holds ultimate authority over security operations.
• Legislative Conflict: He pointed to a specific provision within the bill that mandates federal laws prevail in instances of conflict between the State Assembly and the National Assembly.
• State Interests: The Speaker suggested that the specific positions and interests of state legislatures have not been adequately reflected in the current draft of the alteration bill.

“Even though we are happy that we are having state police, our interests and positions have not been well taken care of in this alteration. You would realise that the major control still lies at the centre,” Obasa stated.

Looking Toward Future Reforms

Despite his criticisms, Obasa characterized the current legislative effort as a positive step forward. He expressed a belief that the ongoing process provides a foundation for future adjustments that could eventually grant states the total control he deems necessary for effective security management.

The Daily Post Nigeria report notes that while the Lagos State House of Assembly has engaged with the Sixth Alteration Bill, the Speaker’s stance highlights the ongoing tension between federal authority and the desire for sub-national autonomy in Nigeria’s governance. As the ratification process continues, the balance of power between the center and the states remains a central point of contention for lawmakers.

Conclusion

The discourse surrounding the Sixth Alteration Bill underscores the complexity of reforming Nigeria’s security sector. While there is broad consensus on the need for state-level policing, the extent of federal oversight remains a subject of debate. Speaker Obasa’s remarks reflect a broader push among some state leaders for greater independence in managing local security, suggesting that the current legislative path is viewed as an incomplete solution to the nation’s security challenges.

<

p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Daily Post Nigeria

Tags: Constitutional Reform · Lagos · Mudashiru Obasa · news · Nigeria · State Police · ViralBrief