Abbas defends state police bill, says safeguards will prevent governors’ abuse

By Gift ChapiOdekina, Abuja

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, has defended the proposed State Police Bill, assuring Nigerians that adequate constitutional safeguards have been included to prevent governors and political actors from using state police as private security outfits.

Abbas spoke on Wednesday at the National Security Roundtable held as part of activities marking the 2026 National Assembly Open Week in Abuja.

The Speaker acknowledged concerns that state police could be abused by governors or political leaders but said the proposed legislation was deliberately structured to prevent such occurrences.

“I understand the concern that many people bring to this discussion, and it is a reasonable one. It is the fear that a State Police could become the private army of a governor or a political godfather,” Abbas said.