Nigeria's State Police Bill Risks Political Abuse, Warns Opposition Party

Nigeria's opposition New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) has voiced strong concerns over the recently enacted State Police Bill, warning it could become a tool for political oppression and undermine democracy. The party's Deputy National Chairman, Prince Nweze Onu, cautioned that the bill's swift passage, without adequate public consultation and robust safeguards, poses significant risks.

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The speed with which this bill was passed raises questions. A matter this sensitive should not have been treated with such haste.

Onu argued that while state policing is a theoretically beneficial concept for addressing Nigeria's security challenges, the current legislation is flawed. He highlighted the lack of sufficient attention to critical issues such as operational independence, funding, accountability, and constitutional protections. "The speed with which this bill was passed raises questions. A matter this sensitive should not have been treated with such haste," Onu stated.

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We have seen how regional security outfits have been accused of bias and partisanship. Those mistakes should guide us now.

The NNPP's warning comes as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections. Onu expressed fears that governors and other powerful political figures could exploit state police forces to suppress dissent and intimidate rivals. He pointed to existing regional security outfits, like Amotekun in the South-West and Ebubeagu in the South-East, which have faced allegations of bias and abuse. "We have seen how regional security outfits have been accused of bias and partisanship. Those mistakes should guide us now," he said.

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Nigeria needs security institutions that protect everyone, not institutions that will be used to witch-hunt political opponents.

Instead of immediate nationwide implementation, Onu urged the government to first review the performance of current state-backed security initiatives, address their shortcomings, and establish stronger safeguards against misuse. He stressed that any state police system must prioritize merit-based recruitment, professional training, independent oversight, accessible complaint mechanisms, and strict penalties for political interference. "Nigeria needs security institutions that protect everyone, not institutions that will be used to witch-hunt political opponents," Onu declared, emphasizing that security reforms should foster national unity, not deepen divisions.

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We cannot allow a well-meaning reform to become an instrument of persecution.