Former Anambra governor warns implementing state police before the general election could lead to political abuse despite backing decentralised policing.
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to postpone the implementation of state police until after the 2027 general election, warning that introducing the new policing structure ahead of the polls could expose it to political manipulation.
Obi made the appeal in a statement posted on his X account titled, “State Police: Commendable Step, but Disorderly Legislation Raises Concerns of Political Misuse.”
While acknowledging that decentralised policing has long been advocated as a solution to Nigeria’s security challenges, Obi expressed concern over the timing and implementation of the proposed constitutional amendment.
“The recent passage of the State Police Bill by the National Assembly marks a significant legislative milestone in addressing a long-standing demand of the Nigerian people,” Obi said, adding that the legislative and constitutional implementation process “appears shaky and raises legitimate concerns.”
He called for strong independent oversight mechanisms, including state Police Service Commissions insulated from executive control, to ensure state police operate in the public interest rather than becoming instruments of political intimidation.
Obi further argued that there is no assurance the current administration would not use the new policing structure to influence the 2027 general election, urging the Federal Government to defer its implementation until after the polls.
“Going by what Nigerians have seen so far, there is no guarantee that this administration can resist the temptation to take advantage of state policing to influence the 2027 general election by proxy,” he said.
The National Assembly recently passed the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish state police as part of efforts to decentralise Nigeria’s policing system and strengthen internal security. The bill now requires approval by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly before it can receive presidential assent.
Although lawmakers included safeguards aimed at preventing abuse by state governments, the proposal continues to generate debate over its implementation and potential political implications ahead of the 2027 elections.