Kalu Seeks EU Support for State Police, Constitutional Reforms

Amarachi Ihesiulo

June 8, 2026
3 min read
Benjamin Okezie Kalu

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has sought the support of European Union Heads of Mission for Nigeria’s ongoing constitutional reforms, assuring them that the proposed state police framework contains sufficient safeguards to prevent abuse.

Kalu, who is Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, made the appeal at a reception hosted by the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, in Abuja.

He argued that Nigeria’s centralised policing system had become overstretched, given the country’s vast territory and growing population, making decentralisation necessary to improve security responses at the community level.

Kalu said Nigeria covers 923,768 square kilometres and has more than 230 million people, yet policing remains largely under one centrally commanded structure.

Under the proposed constitutional amendment, states would be permitted to establish their own police services, with clearly defined jurisdictions, professional recruitment standards, independent oversight and coordinated command arrangements.

Addressing concerns over the possible politicisation or misuse of state police, Kalu said the reform was being designed around accountability rather than merely transferring policing powers from the centre to the states.

“We have put guardrails in the way the state police are going to be operated. The guardrails will not allow any abuse,” he said.

The Deputy Speaker maintained that local policing would make security agencies more responsive because officers familiar with their communities would better understand local roads, markets, people and security challenges.

He urged the EU diplomatic community to support the broader constitutional reform agenda as the proposals move towards consideration by state Houses of Assembly.

Kalu also highlighted the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, describing increased female representation in governance as both a democratic necessity and an economic imperative.

He noted that women account for 49.3 per cent of Nigeria’s population but occupy only 19 of the 469 seats in the National Assembly.

According to him, the proposed legislation would create additional seats for women without displacing existing lawmakers, thereby widening representation in the legislature.

Kalu further listed local government autonomy, citizenship reforms, judicial reforms, electoral reforms, human rights protections and fiscal reforms among the key areas covered by the constitutional review process.

On local government administration, he said the reforms would seek to guarantee democratically elected councils and strengthen direct fiscal accountability.

He disclosed that the constitutional amendment bills had passed both chambers of the National Assembly and had entered a critical phase requiring ratification by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly.

The Deputy Speaker therefore appealed to EU missions to deepen technical cooperation, provide comparative legislative expertise and offer constructive counsel as Nigeria advances the reform process.

He also called for stronger parliamentary diplomacy between Nigeria and European legislatures, saying international partnerships could contribute to strengthening democratic institutions.

Kalu said the ultimate test of constitutional reform should be its effect on citizens, rather than simply the number of provisions amended.

The reception was attended by EU ambassadors and other diplomatic representatives in Nigeria.

Kalu Seeks EU Support for State Police, Constitutional Reforms

Amarachi Ihesiulo

Amarachi Ihesiulo

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