Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has told President Bola Tinubu to shelve the implementation of state police until after the 2027 general election.
Obi warned that introducing the new policing structure ahead of the polls could expose it to political manipulation.
His position comes barely days after the National Assembly passed the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish state police, a landmark reform aimed at decentralising Nigeria’s policing system in response to growing insecurity across the country.
The proposed constitutional amendment, which now awaits approval by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly before presidential assent, provides for the creation of state police commands alongside the Nigeria Police Force.
It also includes safeguards intended to prevent governors from abusing the new security architecture, following years of concerns that state police could be deployed against political opponents.
However, Obi argued that despite the merits of decentralised policing, the current implementation process raises concerns over transparency and the possibility of political abuse, particularly with the 2027 general election drawing closer.
The former Anambra State governor made his position known in a statement posted on his X handle titled, “State Police: Commendable Step, but Disorderly Legislation Raises Concerns of Political Misuse.”
He 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.”
