Abuja: Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, has issued a warning that the political culture and temperament of some state governors may pose a significant threat to the successful implementation of state police. Sulaiman expressed his concerns during an appearance on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Personality Interview Series in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Sulaiman highlighted that despite the well-intentioned efforts behind policing reform in the country, there is a risk of state police being abused by certain governors. He pointed to the disregard shown by state governors toward the Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments as an example of how state police might be mishandled.
The director-general emphasized that while NILDS supports the establishment of state police as a means to address insecurity in Nigeria, there are ongoing concerns about the timing and potential misuse by governors. He questioned the maturity and political culture of the governors in handling the control of state police, especially given their history of ignoring Supreme Court rulings.
Sulaiman also mentioned instances where incumbent governors have consistently prevented opposition parties from having a fair chance during local government elections. He questioned whether state governors who have previously restricted opposition campaigns should be entrusted with control over the police force.
While acknowledging President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to restructuring Nigeria’s security architecture, Sulaiman urged that legislation be crafted with a focus on long-term stability rather than short-term political gains. He observed that while advanced countries are centralizing their policing systems, Nigeria is moving towards devolving it to sub-national levels without adequate safeguards.
Sulaiman stressed the importance of creating laws that consider future implications rather than immediate concerns. He expressed NILDS’s commitment to providing data, policy briefs, and legislative frameworks to ensure constitutional amendments prioritize national stability over regional political control.