GOMEP Visits Presidency, Commends Tinubu on State Police Bill, Calls for Constitutional Safeguards
The Guide of Online Media Editors and Publishers (GOMEP) has commended the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for initiating the proposed State Police Bill, describing the move as a bold and historic step towards addressing Nigeria’s persistent security challenges through constitutional reforms.
The commendation came during a courtesy visit by a delegation of GOMEP, led by its National President, Comrade Otiti Akpovoke, to the Presidency in Abuja.
Receiving the delegation on behalf of President Tinubu, the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, expressed the appreciation of the President for the visit and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to maintaining a productive partnership with online media organizations in promoting responsible journalism, national development, and public enlightenment.
Speaking during the visit, Comrade Otiti Akpovoke applauded President Tinubu for demonstrating political courage by pushing for the decentralization of the Nigeria Police through the proposed State Police Bill. He noted that the issue of state policing has remained one of the most difficult constitutional reforms in Nigeria, with successive administrations reluctant to pursue it despite widespread calls from security experts, traditional rulers, civil society groups, and state governments.
According to him, the increasing complexity of security threats—including kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, communal clashes, and other violent crimes—has exposed the limitations of a highly centralized policing structure, making the establishment of state police both timely and necessary.
He observed that decentralizing policing would improve intelligence gathering, enhance rapid response to security threats, strengthen community policing, and ensure that law enforcement agencies possess better knowledge of local terrain, languages, and socio-cultural dynamics. He stressed that such a system would significantly improve public confidence in security institutions while complementing the efforts of federal security agencies.
The GOMEP President, however, emphasized that the proposed legislation should be accompanied by strong constitutional safeguards to prevent abuse by state governments. He called for clear legal provisions guaranteeing operational independence, professional recruitment, merit-based appointments, effective oversight mechanisms, judicial accountability, and protection against the use of state police for political intimidation or suppression of opposition voices.
He further stated that with adequate constitutional checks and balances, state policing would deepen Nigeria’s federal system, strengthen internal security architecture, reduce the burden on the Nigeria Police Force, and enable security responses that are more efficient, proactive, and community-driven.
Comrade Otiti also commended President Tinubu for demonstrating leadership by confronting a reform that many previous administrations avoided due to its political sensitivity. He described the initiative as one capable of redefining Nigeria’s internal security framework and fostering greater collaboration between the Federal Government and the states in protecting lives and property.
Responding, the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, thanked GOMEP for recognizing the administration’s reform agenda and for its continued contributions to national discourse through responsible online journalism. He assured the delegation that President Tinubu remains committed to implementing reforms that will strengthen democratic governance, improve national security, and promote inclusive development.
The Minister reiterated the Federal Government’s readiness to sustain constructive engagement with media organizations, acknowledging the critical role of the online media in informing citizens, promoting accountability, and supporting nation-building.
The visit concluded with both parties expressing optimism that continued dialogue between government and media stakeholders would contribute meaningfully to strengthening democracy, improving public trust, and advancing policies that promote peace, security, and national cohesion across Nigeria.
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