Soludo pushes for effective state police implementation in Nigeria

Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, is intensifying the national conversation surrounding the establishment of state police in Nigeria. Soludo asserts that the debate has moved beyond the question of whether state police should be created to how its effective implementation can be achieved.

Speaking at a town hall meeting organized by Arise News TV, Soludo noted that the ongoing reforms to Nigeria's federal structure under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu were not unexpected. He recalled President Tinubu's consistent advocacy for greater power devolution to sub-national governments and a more functional federal system during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State, highlighting the President's long-standing commitment to federalism.

“

State police need to be seen in the context of the unfinished business towards a sustainable security and justice system.

Soludo emphasized that state police should not be considered in isolation but as an integral component of the broader reforms necessary to strengthen Nigeria's security and justice apparatus. "State police need to be seen in the context of the unfinished business towards a sustainable security and justice system," he stated.

He further pointed out that while responsibilities have gradually been devolved to state governments, the country's revenue allocation formula has not been adjusted accordingly. Soludo also stressed the importance of judicial reforms, particularly addressing the delays in justice administration caused by the highly centralized judicial system. Using Anambra State as an example, he cited land disputes as a major cause of protracted court cases, some lasting decades, and argued that land administration matters should be handled entirely at the state level to align with the ongoing devolution of responsibilities.

“

I don’t understand why the issue of land should go beyond the state. The conversation should go towards a more sustainable federal structure.