By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general election, Peter Obi, said that the implementation of the proposed State Police be postponed until after the 2027 elections, citing fears that it could be abused for political purposes.
Obi made the call in a statement posted on his X handle on Friday with the title, “State Police: Commendable Step, but Disorderly Legislation Raises Concerns of Political Misuse.”
While welcoming the passage of the State Police Bill by the National Assembly as a significant step towards addressing Nigeria’s security challenges, Obi expressed concern over what he described as the disorderly legislative process leading to its approval.
According to him, Nigeria’s highly centralised policing structure has long been inadequate for a country of its size and diversity, making state policing a necessary reform.
“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,” Obi said.
He, however, argued that the implementation process lacked sufficient public participation, noting that a matter of such national importance should have been subjected to wider consultations and public hearings.
“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,” he stated.
Obi said his greatest concern was the possibility of state police being used by governors to suppress political opponents, disrupt opposition activities and influence election outcomes.
“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 said.
The former Anambra State governor advocated the establishment of independent oversight institutions, including state Police Service Commissions insulated from executive influence, to ensure that state police operate in the public interest.
He also expressed doubts about the ability of the current administration to resist using the proposed security structure to influence the 2027 general elections.
“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,” Obi said.
He maintained that while state policing remains an important security reform, adequate legal safeguards and institutional checks must first be put in place to prevent abuse and protect Nigeria’s democratic process.
