State police bill earns strong support from Ondo APC

Ondo APC calls on lawmakers to pass the State Police Bill, stressing the urgent need for decentralised policing to tackle Nigeria’s growing insecurity

The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has declared firm support for the State Police Bill, describing it as an essential step towards addressing Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.

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This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the party’s Director of Media and Publicity, Mr Steve Otaloro, who urged members of the National Assembly to put aside political and ethnic leanings and pass the bill in the interest of peace and national stability.

In the strongly worded statement titled ‘APC Ondo to NASS: Rise above politics and pass the state police bill’, the party expressed deep concern over the escalating threats confronting communities across the country.

It noted that persistent rural banditry, violent herdsmen attacks, kidnapping and infiltration by extremist groups had pushed Nigeria into a dangerous phase demanding urgent reform.

The party commended the Federal Government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for what it described as intensified security efforts.

According to the statement, the deployment of additional personnel, acquisition of advanced equipment and improved intelligence operations have produced visible gains in stabilising several troubled areas.

However, the party stressed that the Nigeria Police Force cannot provide full protection to every community without a complementary state-level structure.

It stated that the growing national debate shows that Nigerians now widely accept the need for a multi-layered policing system that reflects present-day realities.

The APC also highlighted the legacy of the late former governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, whose strong advocacy for decentralised policing “laid the groundwork for a new security paradigm” through the establishment of the Amotekun Corps.

The party recalled that Akeredolu persisted despite legal obstacles, ensuring the initiative survived initial pushback and evolved into a model of community-focused security across the Southwest.

The party further praised Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for playing a central role in the planning, legal consultations and operational designs that produced Amotekun.

It said his experience has since enabled him to strengthen the corps through improved training, better equipment, enhanced intelligence capacity and stronger cooperation with federal security agencies.

Against this backdrop, the Ondo APC urged National Assembly lawmakers to fast-track deliberations and pass the State Police Bill without delay.

It described the moment as an opportunity for national leadership and unity, not division or partisan manoeuvring.

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The call comes as the National Assembly continues consideration of the constitution amendment proposal seeking to move policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List, a shift that would allow states to establish and manage their own police structures.

Quadri Olaitan