Dickson backs Tinubu's state police plan but urges slowdown, cites election timing concerns

The NDC national leader Seriake Dickson praised President Tinubu's state police initiative but urged slowing implementation during a Channels Television interview today. He argued focus should first be on tackling terrorism and insecurity, with state police rollout left to the next administration. Dickson proposed decentralizing policing to zonal levels first, followed by constitutional amendments granting governors power to appoint police commissioners—subject to Police Service Commission review and State Assembly oversight. He linked this to resource control advocacy, stating mineral rights decentralization should accompany policing reforms.

Meanwhile, NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi expressed suspicion about the timing, warning constitutional changes empowering governors ahead of elections risk exploitation. Dickson's proposal reflects broader opposition concerns about electoral timing and institutional readiness for state police, which critics argue could exacerbate tensions if rushed ahead of 2027 polls. The proposal ties policing reform to resource control, a longstanding Niger Delta demand.

With state police legislation already advancing at NASS, should Nigerians prioritize immediate insecurity solutions over structural reforms that might be politicized in election season, or support phased implementation building consensus before 2027?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/29/state-police-why-tinubu-should-slow-down-dickson/