THE Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, has cautioned state governors against misusing state police formations once they are established, stressing the need for safeguards to prevent political abuse of the proposed security structure.
Akpabio made the remarks during yesterday’s plenary session as the National Assembly moved closer to approving the creation of state police as part of efforts to address Nigeria’s security challenges.
His comments came shortly after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu submitted a constitution alteration bill to the National Assembly seeking the establishment of state-controlled police forces.
The Senate President noted that concerns about potential misuse of state police by governors had remained one of the major arguments against decentralizing policing since Nigeria’s independence.
He, however, maintained that adequate legal frameworks would be put in place to prevent abuse.
According to Akpabio, lawmakers are conscious that political officeholders will eventually leave office and could themselves become subject to the institutions they create.
He therefore urged current governors to support a system that guarantees fairness and accountability.
He explained that the implementation process would occur in two stages.
The first would involve constitutional amendments to provide legal backing for state police, while the second would entail the enactment of a separate law outlining operational guidelines and safeguards.
The proposed legislation is expected to define the powers, responsibilities, and oversight mechanisms for state police formations, with the aim of ensuring that the new structure strengthens security without becoming a tool for political intimidation.
The Senate is expected to consider and vote on the state police bill as part of ongoing constitutional reform efforts aimed at decentralizing policing and improving security management across the country.
