- NNPP urged the Federal Government to avoid rushing the creation of state police
- The party warned the system could be abused ahead of the 2027 elections
- It called for stronger safeguards and wider public consultation before implementation
The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has advised the Federal Government and the National Assembly to avoid rushing the proposed creation of state police, warning that the initiative could be misused if strong legal protections are not established before it takes effect.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the party said it supports decentralised policing as a way to strengthen security across the country but expressed concern over the speed of the legislative process, especially with the 2027 general elections approaching.
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The NNPP’s Deputy National Chairman, Nweze Onu, said a constitutional amendment of such significance should be based on broad national agreement rather than political urgency.
According to him, the rapid passage of the proposal has raised concerns that important issues such as accountability, funding, operational independence, oversight and constitutional safeguards may not have received adequate public consideration.
Onu argued that the timing of the reform makes it necessary to ensure that state police cannot be used by governors to intimidate political opponents, silence critics or influence election outcomes.
He warned that security institutions lacking sufficient independence have historically been vulnerable to political interference.
The NNPP leader also pointed to debates surrounding regional security outfits such as Amotekun and Ebubeagu, saying allegations of misconduct and concerns over accountability highlight the need for stronger institutional checks before expanding policing powers.
Rather than implementing state police immediately, he urged the government to first assess the performance of existing state-backed security agencies and use the findings to guide future reforms.
Onu stressed that any state police framework should include constitutional guarantees that ensure professional recruitment, operational independence, transparent funding, judicial oversight, independent complaint mechanisms and severe penalties for political abuse.
He maintained that Nigeria’s security institutions must serve all citizens equally, regardless of political affiliation, ethnicity, religion or social background.
The NNPP also called for wider consultations with stakeholders before the proposal is implemented, insisting that security reforms should strengthen democracy and public trust instead of creating opportunities for political persecution.
The party’s position comes shortly after the United Kingdom expressed support for Nigeria’s move toward state policing, describing it as a step toward a more accountable and community-based security system.
Similarly, National Assembly leaders, including Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, have assured Nigerians that the proposed constitutional amendment contains measures designed to prevent abuse by state governors and other powerful interests.
The renewed debate over state police follows President Bola Tinubu’s submission of an executive bill to the National Assembly seeking constitutional changes that would allow states to establish and operate their own police forces.
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