JUST IN: VP Shettima presides over NEC

The ongoing push to establish state police may dominate discussions at today’s National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, with Vice President Kashim Shettima presiding over the session.

This development comes just weeks after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu renewed his call for decentralised policing as part of efforts to confront Nigeria’s growing insecurity challenges.

The meeting, which commenced at about 11:30 a.m. inside the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja, opened with prayers led by Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. Shortly after, members moved into a closed-door session where the highly anticipated debate on state policing is expected to take centre stage.

The NEC, a constitutional advisory body chaired by the vice president, comprises the 36 state governors, the Central Bank governor and key ministers.

While it is primarily tasked with coordinating economic policy, its agenda often extends to broader governance issues, including security.

President Tinubu had recently told a delegation of eminent citizens from Katsina State that he was committed to reforming the nation’s security architecture.

“I am reviewing all the aspects of security; I have to create a state police,” the president declared at the State House in Abuja.

The President’s comment has revived a long-debated national issue.

Advocates of state policing have argued that decentralising security would make law enforcement more responsive to local challenges, while critics warn that governors could abuse such powers for political ends.

Past attempts to amend the constitution and give states policing authority have repeatedly stalled, even as violent crime, kidnapping, and insurgencies continue to stretch federal security forces.

(Nation)