By Victoria Attah, Correspondent
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has urged that the implementation of state police be postponed until after the 2027 general election, citing fears the new security structure could be abused for political purposes.
According to the press statement signed by POMR Spokesperson Idris Zekeri Jnr on Friday, Obi described the recent passage of the State Police Bill by the National Assembly as a significant step towards addressing Nigeria’s security challenges but said concerns remained over the legislative process and safeguards against political interference.
In the statement, which was posted on Peter Obi’s X account on Thursday and titled “State Police: Commendable Step, but Disorderly Legislation Raises Concerns of Political Misuse,” the former Anambra State governor said Nigeria’s centralised policing system has long proved inadequate for a country of its size and diversity.
He, however, questioned the legislative process leading to the bill’s passage, saying it lacked sufficient public consultation on an issue with far-reaching constitutional and security implications.
According to him, the absence of broad stakeholder engagement and public hearings has created suspicion over the motives behind the legislation and raised concerns about its credibility.
Obi also warned that many Nigerians fear state police could become tools in the hands of state governors to suppress political opponents, disrupt opposition activities and influence electoral outcomes.
To prevent such abuses, he urged lawmakers to provide stronger institutional safeguards, including the establishment of independent state Police Service Commissions insulated from executive control.
He maintained that without credible oversight mechanisms, there is no assurance that state policing would serve the public interest rather than political interests.
Obi further argued that implementing the policy before the 2027 elections could undermine public confidence in the electoral process, insisting that postponing its rollout until after the polls would help strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
He added that any reform of Nigeria’s policing system must prioritise accountability, transparency and public trust.
