Why state police implementation should be suspended - Peter Obi

Peter Obi, presidential candidate for Nigeria's Democratic Congress, has called for the immediate suspension of the State Police Bill, advocating for its implementation to be delayed until after the 2027 general election. Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, voiced significant concerns that the current administration under President Bola Tinubu could exploit the newly established state police forces to manipulate the upcoming elections.

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Going by what Nigerians have seen so far, there is no guarantee that this administration can resist the temptation to take advantage of state policing to influence the 2027 general election by proxy.

In an X post, Obi stated that Nigerians have witnessed instances where such power could be misused, and there's no guarantee the administration would resist using state policing to influence the 2027 polls "by proxy." He argued that deferring the bill's implementation is necessary due to the potential danger it poses to the nation's political stability. While acknowledging the bill as a "significant legislative milestone" in addressing insecurity, Obi expressed suspicion over its "hasty passage."

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In view of that possibility and the danger it poses to the polity, it is necessary to defer its implementation until after the general election.

Obi further criticized the bill's implementation process, describing it as "shaky and raising legitimate concerns." He highlighted that the bill was passed without a public hearing, which he believes is essential for a system that should be more visible at local and community levels. "The rush to enact the law without proper legislative procedures fuels suspicion among many observers about the political motives behind it," he stated.

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The rush to enact the law without proper legislative procedures fuels suspicion among many observers about the political motives behind it.

The former governor's greatest apprehension revolves around the potential for state governors to "hijack" the state police. He noted a "widespread, justifiable fear" that these forces could become tools for suppressing political rivals, disrupting opposition rallies, and manipulating elections. Obi stressed that for state policing to transition from a "risky political gamble" to a genuine security solution, the law must include independent oversight bodies, such as a state-level Police Service Commission, free from executive influence. This, he believes, would ensure that policing serves the public interest rather than the ruling elite.

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There is a widespread, justifiable fear that state police forces could become instruments in the hands of governors.