House of Reps just pass state police bill — wetin this one mean?

So on Thursday, June 11, the House of Representatives passed the bill for state police. 288 lawmakers voted yes, only 4 voted no. This is a big step for Nigeria because for years we have been debating whether states should control their own police or not. The bill wants to remove police from the exclusive list and put it on the concurrent list, meaning both federal and state governments can have a say.

Under this bill, the President will still appoint the Inspector-General of Police, but state governors will appoint their own State Commissioners of Police. Governors can also issue lawful directives to state police on public safety matters. However, if a commissioner thinks the directive is unlawful, they can refer it to the National Police Council. The bill also says federal police can only step in during a complete breakdown of law and order, and only if a governor requests it or the state police cannot function.

But this is not law yet. The Senate must also pass it, and two-thirds of state Houses of Assembly must endorse it before the President can sign it. Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu said the process went through plenty consultation and bipartisan collaboration. The question now is: will state police actually reduce kidnapping and banditry, or will governors just use them to harass opponents? Naija, wetin be your take?