The South-West Conference of Speakers on Tuesday in Ibadan called for multi-level policing architecture in Nigeria to address security challenges facing the country.

The speakers made the call shortly after visiting Governor Seyi Makinde to commiserate with him on the January 16 explosion that occurred in the Bodija area of Ibadan.

Speaking with journalists on behalf of others, the Ekiti House of Assembly speaker, Olubunmi Adelugba, said the visit was part of their consultations with all the South-West governors.

According to Mr Adelugba, the consultation is to have regional integration and development and to look into insecurity issues, particularly in the region.

“It is time to have state police by moving policing from an exclusive list to a concurrent list, whereby every state of the federation can take control of the security situation in their respective states.

“It is also important for us in the South-West to have harmonised legislation, particularly in the area where we have common challenges and common issues,” he said.

Mr Adelugba further hinted that the conference was looking at harmonising legislation, “particularly in areas where the South-West states have common challenges and issues.

“South-West has always been a model, and that will continue to be, so we are working on how to have a South-West Legislative Summit where all members of the Houses of Assembly in the zone will come together.

“It is our belief that there’s nothing stopping us from having rail lines across the zone to drive down the economy and bring about development,” Mr Adelugba said.

On the explosion incident, the Ekiti speaker, on behalf of others, commiserated with the governor and the people of Oyo State on the sad occurrence.

Speakers Olamide Oladiji (Ondo), Adewale Egbedu (Osun), and Debo Ogundoyin (Oyo), along with their principal officers and other state lawmakers from Lagos and Ogun, also attended the meeting with the governor.

(NAN)