STATE POLICE: Osun Assembly approves constitutional amendment, first to do so

The Osun State House of Assembly has approved a proposed constitutional amendment to pave the way for the creation of a state police structure, making it the first state to do so after the National Assembly sent the document to the 36 state Houses of Assembly.

State lawmakers, at a plenary session on Tuesday, unanimously approved the proposed constitutional amendments after deliberation.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, earlier read out a letter from the National Assembly, “requesting state Houses of Assembly across the federation to consider and approve the proposed constitutional amendments.”

The Chairperson further explained that “the amendments have been forwarded to the DPR for consideration and approval as part of the constitutional amendment process.”

In separate submissions, MPs representing Ife South State Constituency, Lawrence Adeoti, and Taofeek Olayiwola, representing Ede South State Constituency, supported the passage of the bill, stating that the establishment of a state police would further improve security across the country.

Also contributing to the debate were Adewumi Adeyemi, representing Obokun State Constituency, and Jeremiah Awoyeye, representing Ife State Central Constituency, describing the proposed creation of a state police force as timely.

They also said that, when created, the state police would strengthen the country’s security architecture, particularly at the state and local government levels.

They stated that the proposed amendments would “enhance the ability of states to provide adequate security personnel and respond more effectively to security challenges within their respective jurisdictions.”

After deliberations, the Assembly Majority Leader, Babajide Kofoworola, representing Ede North State Constituency, moved a motion for the House to support the proposed amendments.

The motion was later seconded by Tajudeen Adeyemi, representing Ifelodun State Constituency.