By Oluwakemi Kindness
The National Assembly began work on the proposed state police system before the Federal Government introduced its own bill, Deputy House spokesman Philip Agbese says.
Agbese said lawmakers had been considering state police legislation for some time.
He said the executive’s bill now provides an opportunity for both arms of government to harmonise their positions.
The aim, he said, is to produce a comprehensive proposal before sending it to the state Houses of Assembly.
Agbese made the remarks in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday while rejecting claims that the 10th National Assembly is a rubber stamp for the executive.
He said lawmakers had initiated several people-focused bills before similar proposals came from the government.
The Benue lawmaker said cooperation between the legislature and executive should not be mistaken for automatic approval of government proposals.
Agbese also said engagements between lawmakers and security chiefs were beginning to yield results.
He cited recent operations that led to the rescue of kidnapped victims in Oyo, Kwara and other states.
He commended Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, and other service chiefs for improving coordination in security operations.
Agbese also praised measures to improve military welfare, including salary increases and the renovation of barracks.
On calls for the National Assembly to suspend its recess over insecurity and unpaid constituency-project contractors, Agbese questioned the timing.
He said the 2027 elections were approaching and warned lawmakers against allowing political interests outside parliament to influence legislative activities.
However, he acknowledged that contractors who completed constituency projects were yet to receive promised payments.
Agbese said the National Assembly leadership was engaging the executive through parliamentary diplomacy to resolve the issue.
He also rejected claims that the House takes major decisions without the required quorum.
Agbese said the House operates a transparent and rules-based process and urged lawmakers to use parliamentary procedures to resolve disagreements.
