From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The National Economic Council (NEC), presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima, has given Adamawa, Kebbi, and Kwara states one week (until November 28th) to submit their reports on state police or be ready to comply with the decision on it.
The Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, made this disclosure while briefing State House Correspondents on the decision of NEC, alongside the governors of Imo, Hope Uzodinma, Ondo, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu.
NEC had, on September 4, 2024, threatened to impose its decision on states that had failed to submit their reports on state police.
On Thursday, February 15, 2024, President Bola Tinubu agreed on the need to establish state police, as recommended by state governors, to curb rising insecurity in the country.
States were subsequently directed to submit their reports to the council for deliberation and action.
However, briefing correspondents after the council meeting, Diri said the three states and the FCT were yet to turn in their reports.
He said: “The Council mandated these remaining states and the FCT to make their submissions within the next one week.”
Diri said the three states and the nation’s capital are the only entities that have yet to do so out of the 36 states.
He explained, “On the State Police, the council was updated with the submission of the establishment of state police, and it was reported that 33 states have submitted their positions, while three states are yet to do so.
“These three states are Adamawa, Kebbi, and, incidentally, Kwara, which is the chairman of our forum, and the FCT are yet to submit their positions.
“The Council mandated these remaining states and the FCT to make their submissions within the next one week and resolved to present a consolidated state’s position on the state police to the National Economic Council at our next meeting.”
Asked why the states were given another deadline after they failed to meet the one in September, Diri said some of the states claimed they had already submitted their reports but that they did not make it to Thursday’s meeting, hence the council’s decision to give them a grace period of one week.