The Presidential Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, has urged that the proposed establishment of state police should be implemented only after the 2027 polls.
Obi made the call while reacting to the passage of the State Police Bill by the Senate, in a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
The former Anambra State governor described the passage of the bill as a significant step toward addressing Nigeria’s long-standing security challenges.
He noted that many stakeholders have consistently argued that Nigeria’s centralised policing system is no longer effective due to the country’s size and complexity.
However, Obi warned that the current legislative and implementation process raises concerns that must not be ignored.
Obi questioned the speed and structure of the legislative process, stating that sensitive reforms such as state policing require wider consultation and public participation.
He argued that a lack of proper hearings and stakeholder engagement could fuel suspicion about political motives behind the reform.
According to him, security reforms of this nature must be transparent and inclusive to gain public trust.
The NDC presidential candidate warned that state police could be vulnerable to abuse by political office holders if not properly regulated.
He expressed concern that governors might use state-controlled security structures to suppress opposition voices, influence elections, or intimidate rivals.
Obi said Nigeria’s political history makes such fears “justifiable and difficult to ignore.”
To address these concerns, Obi recommended the establishment of independent oversight structures, including a State Police Service Commission that would operate free from political interference.
He stressed that state policing must be designed to serve the public interest rather than political elites.
Obi concluded that while state police may be necessary for Nigeria’s security architecture, its implementation should be delayed until after the 2027 general elections to avoid potential abuse during the electoral period.
“In view of the risks involved, it is safer to defer its implementation until after the elections,” he stated.
