By Sandra Michaels
The 2nd Annual Distinguished Parliamentarian Lecture organised by the House of Representatives Press Corps in Abuja ended with a call for evidence-based debate on state police.
The theme was “The Imperative for State Police: Securing Communities, Strengthening Federalism.”
In a goodwill message, CISLAC Executive Director, Auwal Rafsanjani, said the debate on state police is timely, noting that kidnapping and banditry continue to expose the limits of a centralized policing structure.
He added, that while state police could improve local intelligence and response time, it must be accompanied by strong safeguards, independent oversight, transparent funding and respect for human rights to prevent political abuse.
Also speaking on behalf of the Speaker of the House, Rep. Akin Rotimi, said the House places high premium on its relationship with the press, describing the Press Corps as an essential part of democratic architecture.
He however urged the media to steer national conversations away from partisanship but judge bills by their principles and consequences and not by who proposes them, assuring the Press Corps of the leadership’s respect for press independence and continued support for accurate and fair parliamentary reporting.
