Okechukwu calls for 3% federation account funding for state police
The former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr Osita Okechukwu, has called for three percent Federation Account funding for the proposed state police meant to stem spate of insecurity in the country.
Okechukwu, who is a foundation member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), advocated this in a statement he issued in Enugu on Sunday.
He commended the unprecedented consensus among Nigerians and bipartisan consensus on the urgent need for the establishment of state police as imperative response to contain the security mess nationwide.
The APC chieftain, however, warned that the success of state police would depend largely on the dedication of the three per cent funding mechanism to sustain our patriotism.
“Going through bill passed by House of Representatives: A Bill for an Act to Alter Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for Establishment of State Police and for Related Matters (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026
“One couldn’t locate specific percentage to adequately fund state police.
“I, therefore, advocate that three per cent of the Federation Account should be dedicated specifically to the funding of state police.
“Without proper financial backing, the nation risks unleashing official toll collectors and police thugs on the populace,” he said.
Okechukwu noted that poor funding remained antithetical to modern gadgets and essential ingredient in asymmetrical warfare.
He said that the devolution of police powers and other synergy paradigm were not enough to address poor funding, which rendered Federal police prostrate.
According to him, the realities on the ground have made state police an unavoidable national necessity.
The APC chieftain noted that the creation of state police without a clearly defined funding framework in the Bill and synergy paradigm with other security agencies would amount to chasing shadows.
He cautioned that leaving the financing of state police entirely to the discretion of individual state governments might undermine the objective of the reform.
“Therefore, appropriate adjustment to the Federal Government’s share of the Federation Account, should accompany the Bill.
“Effective policing is the foundation of peace, economic development, growth of our democracy and citizens’ confidence in government.
“All stakeholders should support three per cent funding model that will make state police professional, accountable and sustainable,” he added.