PRP opposes state police, questions Tinubu’s motive

The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has voiced strong opposition to the proposed establishment of state police, casting doubt on President Bola Tinubu's administration's suitability to lead such a major reform. The party argues that the current government lacks the necessary credibility and public trust to undertake a significant restructuring of Nigeria's policing architecture.

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The Peoples Redemption Party is deeply concerned over plans by President Tinubu’s administration to procure State Police through constitutional amendment at a time when its credibility and competence are at an unprecedented low level in our democratic history.

This stance comes shortly after the Senate passed a Constitution Alteration Bill aimed at decentralizing policing powers in response to escalating security challenges. However, the PRP, through its National Chairman Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, described the move as suspicious. The party expressed deep concern, stating that the administration's credibility is at an "unprecedented low level."

While acknowledging that constitutional requirements might eventually be met, the PRP contends that the current administration lacks the moral standing to oversee such a far-reaching change. Baba-Ahmed stated that despite the urgent need for security reform, the APC administration has failed to effectively manage existing security structures. He asserted that the plan to introduce state police is suspicious and should be rejected by Nigerians.

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This administration lacks the moral assets and the trust of Nigerians to undertake a major shift in the policing structure of the country. The APC administration has failed to manage our security structure and institutions. Its plan to engineer the emergence of State Police, is suspicious and it should be rejected.

The PRP advises that the contentious issue of state police should be deferred until after the next general election. They believe Nigeria first requires a government that commands broad public confidence before embarking on critical reforms. The party urged the current administration to focus more on securing citizens and ending the prevailing insecurity.

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The PRP advises that the forthcoming election should be a threshold which should be crossed with credibility and popular acclaim before the nation decides on important issues such as state police structures.