Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, urged President Bola Tinubu on Friday to shelve the implementation of state police until after the 2027 general election. Obi warned that introducing the new policing structure before the polls could expose it to political manipulation.
The National Assembly passed the Constitution Alteration Bill for state police a few days earlier. This reform aimed to decentralise Nigeria’s policing system amid rising insecurity. The bill now awaits approval by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly before presidential assent.
It provides for state police commands alongside the Nigeria Police Force. Lawmakers included safeguards to prevent governors from abusing the new security architecture.
Obi made his position known in a statement 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 marked a significant legislative milestone.
Obi noted that many people, including security experts and regional stakeholders, had long argued against a highly centralized policing structure for Nigeria’s vast and diverse population. However, he added that the legislative and constitutional implementation appeared shaky and raised legitimate concerns.
Obi supported decentralised policing but stressed the need for strong independent oversight. He called for state Police Service Commissions insulated from executive control. Obi said such safeguards would ensure state police served the public interest rather than becoming tools of the political elite.
He stated there was no guarantee that the current administration could resist the temptation to use state policing to influence the 2027 general election by proxy. As a result, Obi urged the Federal Government to defer implementation until after the election. He concluded, “A New Nigeria is Possible.”
State police have remained a contentious issue. Supporters argue that decentralisation will improve intelligence gathering, community policing, and rapid response to insecurity. Critics fear governors could exploit state controlled police for partisan purposes.
The Senate incorporated provisions to limit abuse, yet the proposal continues to spark debate among political parties, civil society groups, and security experts.
