The Senate has explained why the Federal Capital Territory will not be included in Nigeria’s proposed state police system, saying Abuja lacks the constitutional institutions required to operate a state-controlled police force.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, said the FCT has no governor or State House of Assembly because it is administered directly by the Federal Government.
Adaramodu made the clarification in a statement while responding to questions over the exclusion of the FCT from the proposed state police arrangement.
He explained that the FCT is administered by a minister who operates under the direction of the Federal Executive Council, while legislative responsibilities for the territory are handled by the National Assembly.
“The FCT issue is different. It is under the Federal Government,” Adaramodu said.
According to him, the proposed state police structure is designed around the constitutional framework of Nigeria’s 36 states, each of which has a governor and state legislature.
He said the absence of those institutions in the FCT means Abuja cannot operate a police structure identical to that being proposed for the states.
“The federal capital does not have an assembly. The National Assembly is the body that makes laws for the Federal Capital Territory.”
Adaramodu added that the FCT would therefore remain under the federal policing arrangement.
“That’s why it has to be the same as what the Federal Government does. So, the federal police are responsible,” he said.
The clarification comes as the Federal Government advances plans to establish state police across the country.
President Bola Tinubu is expected to receive the draft Executive National Policing Bill on September 3, according to the report.
The proposed state police system is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen policing and security management across Nigeria.
