Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has criticized the submission of reports by 16 governors to the National Economic Council (NEC) regarding the establishment of state police.
NEC confirmed on Thursday that it received memoranda from 16 governors who expressed their support for establishing state police to address the teeming security challenges bedeviling the nation.
While speaking during an appearance on Channels Television, Makinde expressed skepticism about the efficacy of submitting memoranda on state police, which he claims is a diversion from more effective avenues of legislative action.
“I did not submit any memorandum on state police but my position is very clear about state police. I see it, quite frankly, as a waste of our time. I did not submit not because of arrogance but because I don’t think the approach will quickly get us to where we want to go. You are asking the states to submit memoranda on how state police will work” he said
He further stated that the National Assembly has major part to play in the issue, alluding that constitutional matters such as this should be handled through parliamentary channels.
“The National Assembly, they know what to do. They have people that can quickly do this work. It is not the National Security Adviser or the National Economic Council that will deal with the issue of state police.
“It is a constitutional thing and should go to the National Assembly and then at the state level, we get our state houses of assembly to pass this law” the governor said.
