Former presidential candidate says state policing is necessary but cautions that implementation before the next general election could undermine democracy…..
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has called for the implementation of state police to be postponed until after the 2027 general election, warning that introducing the new security structure too soon could expose it to political abuse.
Obi made the appeal on Friday while reacting to the recent passage of the State Police Bill by the National Assembly, describing the legislation as a major step towards addressing Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.
The Senate had on Wednesday approved a constitutional amendment seeking to establish state police, a proposal that has generated widespread debate over its potential impact on security and governance.
In a statement, Obi acknowledged that many Nigerians, including security professionals and regional leaders, have long supported the decentralisation of policing, arguing that the country’s current centralised policing system is no longer adequate for a nation as large and diverse as Nigeria.
According to him, creating state police is a necessary reform, but the process must be transparent and inspire public confidence.
Obi criticised the manner in which the bill was handled, saying such a far-reaching constitutional amendment deserved broader public engagement and extensive consultations before being passed.
He argued that policing should be rooted at the community and local government levels, adding that the absence of a public hearing on the proposal raises questions about the legislative process.
“The rush to pass such an important law without wider consultation naturally creates suspicion about the motives behind it,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor said his biggest concern is not how state police would operate but the possibility that governors could turn the security outfit into a political tool.
He warned that, without adequate safeguards, state-controlled police commands could be used to intimidate opposition figures, disrupt political activities and influence elections.
To prevent such abuses, Obi proposed the establishment of independent oversight institutions that would operate free from the influence of state governors.
He said each state should have an autonomous Police Service Commission with the authority to supervise recruitment, discipline and operational standards without executive interference.
Obi maintained that delaying implementation until after the 2027 elections would help remove fears that the new policing system could be manipulated for political advantage.
He expressed doubt that the current administration could completely resist the temptation to use state police to influence the outcome of the next general election.
According to him, postponing the rollout would strengthen public trust in the reform and ensure that the initiative serves its intended purpose of improving security rather than becoming a source of political controversy.
Obi insisted that while state policing remains an important reform for Nigeria, its credibility will ultimately depend on strong legal safeguards, institutional independence and a transparent implementation process.
