Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi has expressed support for the establishment of state police in Nigeria.
He, however, called for the implementation of the policy to be deferred until after the 2027 general elections, citing concerns over possible political abuse.
Obi made his position known in a statement issued on Friday while reacting to the recent passage of the State Police Bill by the National Assembly.
He described the legislation as a significant step towards addressing Nigeria’s longstanding security challenges but warned that the current implementation framework could undermine public confidence if adequate safeguards are not put in place.
The former Anambra State governor said the demand for decentralised policing had been championed for years by security experts, regional stakeholders and many Nigerians who believe that the country’s highly centralised policing system is no longer effective in tackling growing security threats.
According to him, although the National Assembly deserves recognition for advancing the reform, the process through which the legislation was passed has generated concerns, particularly because of the absence of broad public consultation and legislative scrutiny.
Obi argued that reforms affecting national security should be subjected to extensive stakeholder engagement, including public hearings, to ensure transparency and public trust.
“The process should involve greater community participation. Policing should be more visible at the local government and community levels. The mechanism for passing the law appears highly disorganised, with no public hearing on such a sensitive issue,” he said.
While reiterating his support for state policing, Obi cautioned that the absence of strong institutional safeguards could allow state police formations to be used as political tools by governors against perceived opponents.
He noted that many Nigerians fear state-controlled police could be deployed to intimidate opposition figures, suppress dissent, disrupt political gatherings and influence electoral outcomes.
To prevent such abuses, Obi called for the establishment of independent state Police Service Commissions insulated from executive control to oversee recruitment, promotions, discipline and operational accountability.
He maintained that decentralising policing should strengthen public security rather than concentrate political power, stressing that effective oversight is essential to ensuring the proposed police structure serves the interests of citizens.
Obi, however, said the implementation of the policy should be postponed until after the 2027 general elections, arguing that the current political climate could create opportunities for misuse.
He said there was no sufficient public assurance that the proposed system would not be exploited to influence the outcome of the next general election through indirect political control.
“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,” he stated.
The former presidential candidate urged the National Assembly and other relevant authorities to strengthen the legal framework governing state police by incorporating independent oversight mechanisms capable of preventing political interference and ensuring accountability.
He concluded by reaffirming his belief that meaningful security reforms must reinforce democratic institutions, uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of all Nigerians, ending his statement with his signature message: “A New Nigeria is Possible.”
