Table of Contents
Obika Chinedu, a Member of the House of Representatives representing the Bwari/AMAC Federal Constituency of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has indicated plans to “amend” the Nigerian Constitution to urgently tackle the ongoing security crisis facing the nation.
The Labour Party leader, speaking on Saturday during the inauguration of a joint security outpost constructed by the Pmagbe community in Ushafa, Bwari Area Council, mentioned that there is a “legislative agenda on the horizon” aimed at establishing an independent police force for the FCT.
He stressed the importance of decentralized policing, asserting that the increasing security challenges should not be solely the responsibility of the Federal Government.
Chinedu stated that the FCT possesses the resources to establish a security framework that can ensure the safety of its residents.
He also expressed hope that resolving the worsening security situation would significantly attract investors to the country, remarking that “no one would want to invest in a place where security cannot be assured.”
Expressing gratitude to the community members for their initiative, the Labour Party representative committed to continuing support for such projects to enhance the safety of his constituents.
“My three primary legislative focuses are education, health, and rural infrastructure.
“We have another legislative agenda on the way, concerning the FCT independent police force. We must amend the Constitution for that because we cannot be certain that our current system is effective. How much funding are we allocating to Police Divisions? To achieve effective security, we must ensure proper funding.
“The FCT has the capability to finance security initiatives in the territory. We should not solely depend on the Federal Government. We need to allocate a portion of the revenue generated in the FCT to fund our own security.
“We ought to have patrol vehicles and CCTVs. There’s no reason why the Abuja police cannot utilize drones. I have written to the President, proposing that the FCT be used as a pilot area for state policing, as that is essential for our security.”
“We politicians often focus solely on politics, worrying about elections, while neglecting the number of lives lost yesterday.
“When discussions about security arise, every sensible individual should take notice. When it comes to attracting investments to Nigeria, my first point is, ‘address the security issues.’
“No one wants to invest in a location where security is not guaranteed. That’s why when the chairman of this community reached out to me about this outpost, I readily offered my support. We have been doing this in numerous other areas,” he stated.
The lawmaker also revealed that prior to taking office, the security situation in the FCT was chaotic.
“When we took office, there were numerous security challenges in the FCT, so we have been supporting initiatives like this to ensure the safety of our people,” he added.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main purpose of the proposed amendment to the Nigerian Constitution?
The proposed amendment aims to establish an independent police force for the FCT to better address the ongoing security crisis.
Why does Obika Chinedu advocate for decentralized policing?
He believes that the increasing security challenges should not rest solely with the Federal Government and that localities should have the capacity to manage their own security.
What are Chinedu's primary legislative focuses?
His primary focuses are education, health, and rural infrastructure.
