Southwest Speakers Demand State Police, Power Devolution

The Southwest Conference of Speakers has called for the immediate creation of state police and devolution of powers.

The conference said doing so would address the hydra-headed insecurity and other socioeconomic challenges facing the country.

In a communiqué issued at the of their meeting in Ikogosi-Ekiti, the speakers said more power should be given the sub-nationals to further enable them deliver dividends of democracy to their people.

The communiqué was co-signed by the Conference Chairman and Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker Adeoye Aribasoye, as well as Speakers Adebo Ogundoyin (Oyo), Olamide Oladiji (Ondo) and Adewale Egbedun (Osun).

The speakers stressed the dire need for holistic collaborations among the Southwest governors to address the prevailing security challenges in the region.

They also called for increased regional integration efforts to enhance economic growth and development across the six states in the region.

The communiqué reads: “The Speakers endorse the devolution of power to states, especially in the realm of security, and emphasise the importance of state policing as a means to enhance security and law enforcement at the local level.

“The Conference calls on the Federal Government to urgently address the rising economic concerns, particularly the shortage of food, and urges citizens to support government efforts in finding lasting solutions to these challenges.

“The Conference agrees to host a legislative summit to address critical issues affecting the Southwest region and to foster collaboration and cooperation among the legislative assemblies of the Southwest states.

“We hereby affirm our commitment to these resolutions and pledge to work collectively towards the advancement and prosperity of the Southwest region.”