PDP chieftain dismisses state police abuse fears as 'annoying' after Senate passes bill

PDP chieftain Segun Sowunmi dismissed concerns about potential abuse of state police as 'annoying' during a Channels Television interview, praising President Bola Tinubu for the Senate's passage of the state police bill. Sowunmi argued the constitutional amendment removes governors' excuse of not controlling police when addressing insecurity in their states.

The bill, passed by the Senate after Tinubu submitted it, enables state governors to appoint commissioners of police for their respective states, subject to confirmation by state houses of assembly. This aims to tackle Nigeria's security challenges including terrorism, banditry, and insurgency.

Tinubu had previously urged senators to amend the Constitution to incorporate state police during a February 26 interfaith breakfast at the Presidential Villa, stating the administration would 'never fail to make the right response' to security challenges. The development comes amid rising insecurity and calls to fast-track state police establishment.

What does this mean for security in your state? Will governors effectively use this new authority to improve local security, or will concerns about potential abuse prove valid as implementation begins?

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/06/25/fears-about-abuse-of-state-police-is-annoying-says-sowunmi/