Peter Obi urges FG to delay State Police until after 2027 election over politicization fears
Peter Obi, Labour Party presidential candidate, has urged the Federal Government to delay implementation of State Police until after the 2027 general election, warning the system could be exploited for political purposes if introduced prematurely. Speaking via a statement on his official page, Obi argued governors might deploy state-controlled police to intimidate opponents, disrupt opposition activities and influence electoral outcomes. He stated there is 'no guarantee' the current administration would resist using state policing to affect the 2027 polls by proxy, making deferral necessary to protect the polity.
While acknowledging the National Assembly's passage of the State Police Bill as a commendable step toward addressing Nigeria's security challenges—noting long-standing advocacy for decentralised policing due to the country's size and complexity—Obi criticised the legislative process for lacking broader public consultation. He emphasized policing should be more visible at local government and community levels, advocating for greater community participation in the reform process.
Obi further called for independent state-level Police Service Commissions insulated from executive influence, arguing such oversight is essential to prevent state police from serving political interests. For state policing to evolve from a 'risky political gamble' into a genuine security solution, he insisted the law must not only permit states to establish forces but also mandate independent oversight bodies to ensure policing serves public interest rather than ruling elite agendas.
With security experts divided on State Police efficacy and electoral tensions rising, will delaying implementation until after 2027 adequately safeguard against politicization, or does it risk postponing urgently needed security reforms?