The Senate has explained that the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, will not be part of the new state police system, stressing that Abuja does not have the necessary constitutional institutions to run its own police force.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, said the FCT does not have a governor or a State House of Assembly, adding that it is directly controlled by the Federal Government.
In a statement he issued, Adaramodu said the FCT is managed by a minister who follows instructions from the Federal Executive Council, and that the National Assembly handles the legislative work for the FCT.
“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,” he said.
He said that since Abuja doesn’t have a governor or state legislature, it can’t follow the same police system that is being planned for the 36 states.
“The federal capital does not have an assembly. The National Assembly is the body that makes laws for the Federal Capital Territory.
“That’s why it has to be the same as what the Federal Government does. So, the federal police are responsible,” Adaramodu said.
The explanation comes as the Federal Government continues with its plans for a state police system.
President Bola Tinubu is likely to get the draft of the Executive National Policing Bill on September 3.