Why FCT Can’t Have State Police – Senate

The Senate has explained why the Federal Capital Territory will not be included in the proposed state police system, saying Abuja lacks the constitutional structures required to operate a police force under the planned arrangement.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, said the FCT is different from Nigeria’s 36 states because it does not have an elected governor or a State House of Assembly.

According to him, the Federal Government has direct control over the FCT, with the affairs of the territory administered through the FCT Minister under the authority of the federal executive.

Adaramodu explained that the National Assembly performs the legislative functions for Abuja, unlike the states where elected Houses of Assembly make laws. He said this constitutional arrangement makes it difficult for the FCT to operate a separate police structure similar to those being proposed for the states.

The senator said questions had been raised over why Abuja was not included in the proposed state police framework. He explained that the responsibility for policing the nation’s capital would remain with the Federal Government because of the territory’s unique status.

He noted that the FCT does not have the same political and administrative institutions available in the states, particularly a governor and state legislature that would oversee a state police service.

Adaramodu said the National Assembly is responsible for making laws governing the FCT, while the administration of the territory is handled under the Federal Government.

He therefore maintained that the Federal Police would continue to be responsible for security and policing in Abuja under the current constitutional structure.

The explanation comes as the Federal Government advances plans to introduce state police as part of wider efforts to improve security across the country.

President Bola Tinubu is expected to receive the draft Executive National Policing Bill in September as the government works towards establishing the legal framework for the proposed policing system.