Senate Spokesperson Explains Why FCT Remains Under Federal Policing System
The Senate has clarified that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was deliberately excluded from the proposed state police framework because it operates under a fundamentally different administrative structure than the 36 states.
Senator Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, addressed public queries on Friday, emphasizing that the FCT’s governance model—headed by a minister under the Federal Executive Council—makes it ineligible for the state policing arrangement.
“The FCT issue is different. It is under the Federal Government,” Adaramodu explained. “The FCT does not have a governor. It is run by a minister who subscribes to the Federal Executive Council. It is from this FEC that the FCT takes directives and its administrative relevance.”
Key Points:
· FCT has no State House of Assembly; the National Assembly legislates for the territory
· Federal police will remain in charge of FCT security
· The National Assembly exercises legislative powers over FCT affairs
State Police Framework Moves Forward
The clarification comes as President Bola Tinubu’s administration advances plans to establish state police forces across Nigeria. The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, chaired by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, is expected to present the draft Executive National Policing Bill to the President on September 3.
A public information portal has been launched to allow Nigerians to submit memoranda and position papers on the proposed legislation before its transmission to the National Assembly.
Funding and Implementation Concerns
The constitutional amendments place primary funding responsibility on states, though federal grants may be available through a mechanism requiring:
· Recommendation from the National Police Council
· Approval from the National Assembly
The National Police Council, chaired by the President, will play a crucial role in determining federal assistance to state police forces—a provision that has sparked debate about funding sustainability and federal-state relations.
