By Chimezie Godfrey
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election and the Nigeria Democratic Congress’ presidential candidate for 2027, Peter Obi, has urged the Federal Government to postpone the implementation of the proposed state police until after the 2027 general election, warning that the initiative could be manipulated for political purposes.
Obi made the call on Friday while reacting to the recent passage of the State Police Bill by the Senate in a statement posted on his X handle titled, “State Police: Commendable Step, but Disorderly Legislation Raises Concerns of Political Misuse.”
He acknowledged that the legislation represented a significant step towards addressing Nigeria’s security challenges but expressed concerns over the manner in which it was passed.
Obi said, “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. For years, many of us, alongside security experts and regional stakeholders, have consistently argued that a highly centralised policing structure is fundamentally unsuitable for a country as vast, diverse, and complex as Nigeria. However, the legislative and constitutional implementation appears shaky and raises legitimate concerns.”
He criticised what he described as the absence of public participation in the legislative process.
According to him, “The process should involve greater community participation. Policing should be more visible at the local government and community levels. The mechanism for passing the law appears highly disorganised, with no public hearing on such a sensitive issue. Indeed, the rush to enact the law without proper legislative procedures fuels suspicion among many observers about the political motives behind it.”
Obi warned that governors could exploit state police to intimidate political opponents.
He stated, “The greatest concern does not arise from logistical issues; it stems from history. There is a widespread, justifiable fear that state police forces could become instruments in the hands of governors. The suspicion is that a state-controlled police force could be weaponised to suppress political rivals, disrupt opposition rallies, and manipulate elections.”
He called for independent oversight institutions to guarantee neutrality.
”For state policing to evolve from a risky political gamble into a genuine security solution, the law must not only permit states to establish police forces but also clearly provide for independent oversight bodies, such as a state-level Police Service Commission that is entirely free from executive influence, to ensure that policing serves the public interest rather than the interests of the ruling elite.”
Obi further argued that the current administration had not inspired sufficient confidence.
”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.
”In view of that possibility and the danger it poses to the polity, it is necessary to defer its implementation until after the general election. A New Nigeria is Possible.”
Obi to Senate: Delay State Police Until After 2027 Polls
