A member of the National Assembly, Prince Bayo Balogun, has urged Nigerians to stop politicising security issues and instead support the government’s efforts to restore peace in parts of the country facing security challenges.
He noted that security is fundamentally local, stressing that everyone must play an active role within their respective communities to ensure peace and stability prevail.
Hon. Bayo Balogun, who represents Ibeju Lekki Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, made this appeal while featuring on “Gbagede Oro” on Rainbow 94.1 FM, Lagos, anchored by Opeyemi Makinde.
According to him, the adoption of state police is imperative as a lasting solution to the country’s security challenges.
Balogun observed that states such as Lagos and a few others have established Security Trust Funds, but expressed concern that equipment procured with such funds is sometimes deployed outside the states where they were provided.
The lawmaker, who is also the Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fully committed to tackling insecurity nationwide.
He explained that security funding is given top priority in the national budget and released promptly, adding that the 2026 Budget presented by the President to a joint session of the National Assembly earmarked ₦5.4 trillion for security, the highest allocation in the nation’s history.
Balogun further disclosed that the President remains committed to the establishment of state police, noting that the proposal has passed the committee stage and is awaiting approval by the National Assembly and two thirds of the State Houses of Assembly before presidential assent.
He also pointed out that the National Assembly carries out oversight functions on the military and police to ensure that allocated security funds are properly expended.
On the call for increased representation of women in the National Assembly, Balogun said the move was deliberate to enable women play more active roles in nation building. However, he lamented that despite their large voting population, female candidates often do not receive sufficient support from fellow women during elections.
The federal lawmaker expressed optimism that the 2026 Budget, if properly implemented, would have a significant positive impact on Nigerians’ lives, adding that the projected deficit should not be a cause for concern as it would be financed through loans.
