Vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has expressed concerns over the proposed creation of state police, warning that governors could misuse the outfit for political purposes during the 2027 general election.
The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has cautioned against the proposed establishment of state police, saying the initiative, if not properly safeguarded, could undermine Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general election.
Kwankwaso made the remarks while reacting to the ongoing debate over state policing, following the passage of the Executive Bill on state police by the House of Representatives. He argued that although decentralising policing has potential benefits, there is a significant risk of political abuse at the state level.
‘Governors May Turn State Police Into Political Tool’
According to Kwankwaso, one of the greatest concerns is that state governors could deploy state police to intimidate political opponents, influence elections or suppress dissent.
He said Nigeria’s political environment has not yet developed sufficient institutional safeguards to prevent such abuses.
While acknowledging the country’s security challenges, Kwankwaso maintained that any policing reform must be accompanied by constitutional protections that guarantee operational independence and accountability.
Calls for Strong Safeguards
The former Kano State governor urged lawmakers and stakeholders to carefully design any state police framework to prevent political interference.
He stressed that recruitment, command structure, oversight mechanisms and disciplinary procedures should be insulated from partisan control.
According to him, without adequate checks and balances, the proposed security architecture could create fresh governance and human rights concerns.
Debate Intensifies After Reps Pass State Police Bill
Kwankwaso’s comments come shortly after the House of Representatives passed the Executive Bill seeking to establish state police as part of ongoing constitutional reforms.
Supporters of the proposal argue that state police would improve intelligence gathering and enable faster responses to insecurity.
Critics, however, fear the new security structure could be manipulated by state governments against political opponents, particularly during election periods.
The issue of state police has remained one of Nigeria’s most debated constitutional reforms for years.
Advocates believe decentralised policing is necessary to address growing insecurity, while opponents insist that existing political structures make abuse of such powers a real possibility unless robust legal safeguards are introduced.