President Tinubu Urged to Slow Down State Police Rollout
National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has welcomed the Federal Government’s initiative to establish state police under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. However, he cautioned that the rollout should be slowed down to allow for proper planning and broader reforms.
Dickson Commends the Idea but Calls for Caution
Dickson praised the move to decentralise policing, describing it as a step in the right direction. He stressed, however, that attention must first be directed at tackling terrorism and overall insecurity before committing fully to a state police structure.
Proposed Alternative: Zonal Decentralisation First
The NDC leader suggested an alternative pathway: begin by decentralising police authority to the zonal levels, then amend the Constitution to empower governors to appoint commissioners of police in collaboration with the Police Service Commission (PSC). These appointments would subsequently be submitted to the respective Houses of Assembly for screening and oversight.
Obi Raises Timing Concerns
Echoing similar reservations, NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi warned against altering the Constitution to grant governors policing powers while an election is on the horizon. He argued that such changes could be politically motivated and should be deferred until after the electoral process.
Both Dickson and Obi agree that while state police could improve local security, the current timing and methodology need reconsideration to ensure the reform is effective, transparent, and free from political influence.
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