Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to postpone the rollout of state police until after the 2027 general elections, citing risks of political manipulation and abuse.
Obi made the appeal on Friday, just days after the National Assembly passed a Constitution Alteration Bill to establish state police commands across the country. The proposed reform, which seeks to decentralise Nigeria’s policing system amid rising insecurity, now requires approval by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly before it can receive presidential assent.
In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle titled “State Police: Commendable Step, but Disorderly Legislation Raises Concerns of Political Misuse,” Obi acknowledged the long-standing need for decentralised policing while expressing strong reservations about the current process.
“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,” Obi said.
“For years, many of us, alongside security experts and regional stakeholders, have consistently argued that a highly centralised 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 former Anambra State governor emphasised the importance of robust safeguards, including the establishment of independent State Police Service Commissions insulated from executive control, to prevent governors from using the new security architecture for partisan purposes.
“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,” Obi warned. “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.”
The state police proposal has been one of Nigeria’s most debated constitutional reforms. Supporters argue that decentralisation will enhance local intelligence gathering, community-oriented policing, and faster response to security threats. Critics, however, fear it could empower state governors to deploy police forces against political opponents.
Although the Senate included provisions aimed at curbing political interference and ensuring independent oversight, concerns persist among political parties, civil society organisations, and security experts regarding the timing and implementation of the reform, particularly so close to the next general elections.
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