Senate Explains FCT Exclusion From State Police Plan

The Nigerian Senate has clarified why the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will not be included in the proposed state police system. The territory's unique administrative structure, which lacks a governor and a State House of Assembly, necessitates its exclusion, according to Senate Committee on Media and Publicity Chairman Yemi Adaramodu.

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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.

Adaramodu explained that the FCT operates directly under the Federal Government, with its minister accountable to the Federal Executive Council. Unlike the 36 states, the FCT does not have its own legislative body; instead, the National Assembly exercises legislative powers over the territory. This fundamental difference, he stated, means the federal police will continue to oversee security in the FCT.

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Again, 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.

The Senate's explanation follows growing calls for the decentralization of policing in Nigeria. The Federal Government is actively working to establish a new policing architecture, with President Bola Tinubu expected to receive a draft Executive National Policing Bill. This bill aims to provide the operational framework for implementing state police, complementing the constitutional amendments that provide the legal foundation. However, debates continue regarding the funding and administration of these proposed state police forces.

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So, the federal capital does not have an assembly. It is the National Assembly that legislates for the FCT. This is why it can’t be different from what the Federal Government does. Therefore, the federal police are in charge.