The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has faulted the National Assembly over the speedy passage of the State Police Bill, arguing that the process did not adhere to due legislative procedure and has sparked concerns about the political motives behind the move.
Obi also urged that the implementation of state policing system be postponed until after the 2027 general election.
His comments followed the Senate’s passage of the Constitution Amendment Bill on State Police for a second reading during plenary on Wednesday in Abuja.
The bill was fast-tracked after Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, moved a motion to suspend Senate rules to accelerate consideration of the executive proposal seeking constitutional backing for state police services.
Reacting to the development in a statement, Obi acknowledged the importance of decentralising policing but questioned the manner in which the legislation was advanced.
He said, “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. For years, many of us, alongside security experts and regional stakeholders, have consistently argued that a highly centralized policing structure is fundamentally unsuitable for a country as vast, diverse, and complex as Nigeria. However, the legislative and constitutional implementation appears shaky and raises legitimate concerns.
“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 disorganized, with no public hearing on such a sensitive issue. Indeed, the rush to enact the law without proper legislative procedures fuels suspicion among many observers about the political motives behind it.
“The greatest concern does not arise from logistical issues; it stems from history. 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 weaponized to suppress political rivals, disrupt opposition rallies, and manipulate elections.
“For state policing to evolve from a risky political gamble into a genuine security solution, the law must not only permit states to establish police forces but also clearly provide for independent oversight bodies, such as a state-level Police Service Commission that is entirely free from executive influence, to ensure that policing serves the public interest rather than the interests of the ruling elite.
“Going by what Nigerians have seen so far, there is no guarantee that this administration can resist the temptation to take advantage of state policing to influence the 2027 general election by proxy.
“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. A New Nigeria is Possible.”
