Follow Us on Google
From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Deputy National Chairman, New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Nweze Onu, has described the formation of state police as a noble idea but faulted the timing.
Onu, in a statement, yesterday, pointed out that accountability, oversight, funding, operational independence and constitutional safeguards were not given the exhaustive public scrutiny they deserve.
According to him, a reform of this magnitude should be driven by broad national consensus rather than political expediency.
He said: “I have carefully followed the recent passage of the State Police Bill. While the concept of state policing has been advocated by many Nigerians over the years as one possible solution to the country’s security challenges, the manner in which this bill has been processed raises serious concerns about its timing, implementation and possible abuse.
“The speed with which this far-reaching legislation was passed has created the impression that critical national issues relating to accountability, oversight, funding, operational independence and constitutional safeguards were not given the exhaustive public scrutiny they deserve.
“A reform of this magnitude should be driven by broad national consensus rather than political expediency.”
He added that since Nigeria was approaching the 2027 general elections, there should be stronger democratic institutions and greater confidence in the neutrality of our security architecture.
The NNPP chieftain remarked that it was, therefore, legitimate for Nigerians to question whether or not the state police, in its present form, could become another instrument in the hands of state governments to intimidate political opponents, suppress dissent, and influence the electoral process.
Other News
He recalled how lack of adequate independence and oversight was manipulated for partisan purposes, stressing that the country’s democracy cannot afford to create another security structure that may be vulnerable to political interference.
He cited cases of abuses by vigilance groups such as Ebubeagu in parts of the South-East and Amotekun in the South-West, alongside similar outfits in other regions.
“While these organisations were established to complement conventional security agencies, public debate and various reported incidents have highlighted concerns over allegations of abuse, inadequate accountability and questions about professionalism in some instances. These experiences should serve as lessons rather than being ignored.
“Instead of rushing into a nationwide state police structure, the Federal Government and the National Assembly should first undertake a comprehensive review of the performance of existing regional and state-backed security outfits.
“Their strengths should be improved, their weaknesses addressed and robust legal safeguards established before expanding policing powers.
“It is my belief that security reforms must strengthen the rights and freedoms of Nigerians, not weaken them. Any state police framework must contain clear constitutional guarantees that ensure operational independence, transparent recruitment, professional training, independent complaints mechanisms, judicial oversight and strict penalties for political misuse.
“Nigeria deserves security institutions that protect every citizen equally, regardless of political affiliation, ethnicity, religion or social status. We must never permit any reform, however well-intentioned, to become a tool for political persecution.
“As a nation, we must build institutions that inspire confidence, uphold justice and deepen democracy. Security should unite Nigerians, not divide them. It should defend democracy, not endanger it,” he said.
