The National Democratic Coalition (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has backed the establishment of state police but raised concerns over the manner in which the legislation was passed, warning that it could be exploited for political purposes.
In a statement titled, “State Police: Commendable Step, but Disorderly Legislation Raises Concerns of Political Misuse,” Obi described the passage of the State Police Bill by the National Assembly as “a significant legislative milestone” in addressing a long-standing demand by Nigerians.
He said, “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.”
Obi argued that the process should have involved greater community participation, with policing made 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,” he said.
According to the NDC presidential candidate, the major concern is the possibility that state police could become instruments of political oppression 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,” Obi stated.
He called for independent oversight bodies, including state-level Police Service Commissions free from executive influence, to ensure that state police serve the public rather than political interests.
Obi also urged that the implementation of state policing be postponed until after the 2027 general election.
“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,” he said.
