The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate says implementing state police before the 2027 general election could expose the new policing structure to political manipulation.
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to postpone the implementation of state police until after the 2027 general election, warning that introducing the new policing structure before the polls could create opportunities for political manipulation.
Obi made the appeal days after the National Assembly passed the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish state police as part of efforts to decentralise Nigeria’s policing system in response to persistent security challenges. The proposed constitutional amendment is yet to complete the required approval process by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly before it can be presented for presidential assent.
While acknowledging that state police has long been advocated as a response to Nigeria’s security concerns, Obi argued that the current implementation process raises legitimate concerns about transparency and the possibility of political misuse ahead of the next general election.
According to him, introducing the new policing structure before the elections could undermine public confidence if adequate safeguards are not in place. He maintained that implementation should be deferred until after the 2027 polls to reduce concerns over potential abuse for political purposes.
The Constitution Alteration Bill contains provisions intended to establish state police commands alongside the Nigeria Police Force, while also including measures aimed at preventing abuse of the new security structure by state governments. However, the amendment must still secure the constitutional approvals required before becoming law.