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Borno Stands Alone Against State Police, Reps To Consult Governors

Published

5 months ago

Jun 10, 2024.

Borno opposes the establishment of state police in Nigeria
Tinubu supports state police, with a bill to amend the constitution for this purpose progressing in the House of Representatives.
The House of Representatives is planning consultations with state governors and political parties to gather support for the constitutional amendments required for state police.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Borno State government has opposed the establishment of state police in Nigeria. This position was revealed by Nebeolisa Anako, the Secretary of the National Economic Council, in a text message to a correspondent.

Anako noted that while nearly all 36 state governors submitted reports on state police, Borno State was the only one against it.

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In 2021, Borno’s Governor Babagana Zulum argued that Nigeria was not ready for state police. During a lecture at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, Plateau State, Zulum expressed concerns that decentralizing the police force could exacerbate security challenges.

He warned that some state governors might misuse state police to target other tribes.

The idea of establishing state police has been proposed as a solution to Nigeria’s security issues. In response, President Bola Tinubu agreed to the establishment of state police after meeting with some governors on February 15.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced a series of meetings to finalize the details for setting up state police.

On February 20, a bill to amend the 1999 Constitution to allow governors to appoint state commissioners of police passed the second reading in the House of Representatives. Sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and 14 others, the bill has sparked national debate.

While the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, opposed the idea, the Speakers of the Houses of Assembly from all 36 states supported it.

By March 21, 2024, the National Economic Council had received reports from 16 states on the creation of state police.

State Police

The House of Representatives is consulting with relevant stakeholders to set a meeting date with the 36 state governors to discuss state police, power devolution, and local government autonomy.

This meeting is planned for June, as per the work plan unveiled by the Constitution Review Committee.

The Constitution Review Committee, chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, will also meet with the chairmen of Nigeria’s 18 registered political parties in June.

On April 22, 2024, a public hearing on state policing was held in Abuja, attended by notable figures like former military Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, and the Inspector General of Police.

While Abdulsalami and Jonathan supported state policing due to security concerns, the police boss recommended strengthening the existing police force to prevent political misuse by state governors.

The June meeting with the governors aims to gather support for constitutional amendments when the issue reaches state Assemblies.