The Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday endorsed the proposed constitutional amendment seeking to establish state police as part of efforts to strengthen security in Nigeria.
He said the intervention was also intended to encourage self-reliance, create employment opportunities and stimulate economic activities at the grassroots.
The lawmaker described Monday’s programme as the third edition of the empowerment scheme, which has featured different forms of support for residents of the constituency.
Afuape had previously organised empowerment programmes involving cash and business equipment for constituents. In May 2025, for instance, reports indicated that hundreds of beneficiaries received cash and various tools, including motorcycles, sewing machines, refrigerators, grinding machines and other equipment.
Beyond the empowerment activities, the gathering also assumed a political dimension as supporters of the lawmaker used the occasion to mobilise support for his bid to return to the House of Representatives in 2027.
Afuape has previously expressed his intention to seek another term in the National Assembly, saying his ambition would ultimately be determined by the people. He subsequently secured the APC ticket for the Abeokuta South Federal Constituency seat after a competitive party primary. Reports showed that he polled 12,633 votes across the constituency’s 15 wards to defeat four challengers, with his closest rival scoring 760 votes.
At Monday’s event, APC members and supporters called for continued support for the lawmaker ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Afuape also urged residents to participate in the electoral process and called on his supporters to back President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC’s governorship candidate in Ogun State, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.
The lawmaker has previously campaigned for continued support for Tinubu ahead of 2027, urging APC members and eligible voters to participate in registration and other electoral processes.
The latest empowerment programme therefore combined constituency support activities with political mobilisation as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum in Ogun State.
The resolution was adopted during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, following consideration of the constitutional amendment bill transmitted to the House by the National Assembly.
Amaewhule read a letter from the Clerk of the National Assembly before presenting the bill containing the proposed alterations to facilitate the creation of state police.
Following the presentation, the Speaker put the proposal to a vote, with the lawmakers unanimously endorsing the bill.
Amaewhule said the decision was informed by the need to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and support ongoing security reforms under President Bola Tinubu.
He said the bill contained 26 clauses, with 25 alterations involving substitutions to provisions of the principal Act.
According to him, the provisions proposed for alteration include Sections 84(4), 89(2), 121(3), 124(4), 109(2), 153(1), 157(2), 158(1) and 160.
“These votes and proceedings are hereby adopted as a working document of this House,” Amaewhule said.
The Speaker said the proposed amendment would provide a constitutional framework for the establishment of state police services, subject to the provisions of the Constitution.
He added that, if passed, the amendment would also strengthen the role of the National Assembly in prescribing national minimum standards for policing.
The Assembly is expected to formally communicate its resolution to the National Assembly through an official letter as part of the constitutional amendment process.
The proposed alteration requires approval by state Houses of Assembly across the federation before it can proceed to the next stage of the amendment process.
