Senate Explains FCT's Exclusion from State Police Plan

The Senate has stated that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is excluded from the proposed state police arrangement because it lacks a governor and a State House of Assembly, remaining under the Federal Government's direct administration. Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, explained that the FCT is managed by a minister under the Federal Executive Council, which differentiates it from the 36 states that have their own governors and legislative assemblies.

The National Assembly legislates for the FCT, further solidifying its federal governance structure. This clarification comes as the Federal Government seeks to establish a new policing architecture amid calls for decentralization and constitutional backing for state police.

President Bola Tinubu is expected to receive the draft Executive National Policing Bill on September 3, aimed at overhauling the country's policing system. The proposed framework for state police has sparked discussions regarding funding and administration, with state Houses of Assembly set to have powers over various aspects of state police operations.