Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele Accuses Opposition of Politicising State Police Bill
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele accused opposition parties of turning the state police debate into a political stunt, claiming their stance stems from partisan interests rather than genuine national security concerns. He made these remarks in a Sunday statement from his media office, responding to criticism after the Senate passed the State Police Bill last Wednesday—following the House’s approval on June 11.
Bamidele argued that security is a collective public good requiring unity across ethnic, political, and religious lines, citing how other nations set aside partisanship for safety initiatives. He dismissed claims the bill was rushed, insisting it addresses urgent national security needs that cannot wait for political convenience, and noted the Police’s comprehensive memorandum helped develop accountability mechanisms to prevent abuse by state governors.
The bill passed the Senate with 84 out of 109 senators (77.06%) voting in favor clause by clause, with opposition parties including PDP, ADC, NDC, and Labour Party supporting it in the national interest. Now headed to the House for concurrence before state assemblies review it, the proposal aims to localize policing for faster crime response—but critics warn governors might exploit it for political gain ahead of the 2027 elections.
Will your state representatives prioritize security over partisanship when they review this bill, and how do you think state policing would actually work in your local government area?