The Senate has explained why the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will not be included in the proposed state police system, citing the territory’s unique constitutional structure.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, said the FCT lacks key institutions required to operate a state police force, including an elected governor and a State House of Assembly.
According to Adaramodu, unlike the 36 states, the FCT is directly administered by the Federal Government through a minister appointed by the President.
He explained that the National Assembly performs the legislative functions for the territory, making it different from states where governors and state legislatures oversee matters within their jurisdictions.
“I have heard many people raise a lot of questions on why the Federal Capital Territory is not among the plan for state police. The FCT issue is different. It is under the Federal Government,” Adaramodu said.
He added that the absence of a governor and a state legislature means the FCT cannot operate under the same policing framework 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.
“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 amid ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to introduce a state police system as part of broader reforms to Nigeria’s policing structure.
President Bola Tinubu is expected to receive the draft Executive National Policing Bill on September 3, as consultations and preparations for the proposed reform continue.
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