FCT Can’t Operate State Police Without Governor, Assembly – Senate

The Senate has explained why the Federal Capital Territory will not be included in the planned state police system, saying Abuja lacks the constitutional structures required to operate its own police force.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, said the FCT is different from the 36 states because it does not have a governor or a State House of Assembly.

According to him, the FCT is directly administered by the Federal Government through a minister, while the National Assembly performs its legislative functions.

Adaramodu made the clarification amid questions over the exclusion of Abuja from the Federal Government’s proposed state police framework.

“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,” he said.

He explained that the absence of a state legislature means the FCT cannot operate a police structure similar 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 said.

“That’s why it has to be the same as what the Federal Government does. So, the federal police are responsible.”

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 senator.