By, Omowumi Hannah
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, on Friday urged President Bola Tinubu to postpone the implementation of state police until after the 2027 general election, warning that introducing the new policing structure ahead of the polls could expose it to political manipulation.

Obi’s position comes barely days after the National Assembly passed the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish state police, a landmark reform aimed at decentralising Nigeria’s policing system in response to growing insecurity across the country.

The proposed constitutional amendment, which now awaits approval by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly before presidential assent, provides for the creation of state police commands alongside the Nigeria Police Force.

It also includes safeguards intended to prevent governors from abusing the new security architecture, following years of concerns that state police could be deployed against political opponents.

However, Obi argued that despite the merits of decentralised policing, the current implementation process raises concerns over transparency and the possibility of political abuse, particularly with the 2027 general election drawing closer.

The former Anambra State governor made his position known in a statement posted on his X handle titled, “State Police: Commendable Step, but Disorderly Legislation Raises Concerns of Political Misuse.”

He said, “The recent passage of the State Police Bill by the National Assembly marks a significant legislative milestone in addressing a long-standing demand of the Nigerian people.

“For years, many of us, alongside security experts and regional stakeholders, have consistently argued that a highly centralised policing structure is fundamentally unsuitable for a country as vast, diverse, and complex as Nigeria. However, the legislative and constitutional implementation appears shaky and raises legitimate concerns.”

To guard against abuse, Obi called for strong independent oversight, including state Police Service Commissions insulated from executive control, saying such safeguards were essential to ensure state police serve the public interest instead of becoming tools of the political elite.

While stating that there was no assurance that the current administration would not exploit state police to influence the 2027 general election, the former governor consequently urged the Federal Government to postpone the implementation of state policing until after the general election.

He said, “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 view of that possibility and the danger it poses to the polity, it is necessary to defer its implementation until after the general election. A New Nigeria is Possible.”

State police has remained one of Nigeria’s most contentious constitutional reform issues, with supporters arguing that decentralising policing will improve intelligence gathering, community policing and rapid response to insecurity, while critics fear governors could exploit state-controlled police for partisan purposes.

Although the Senate incorporated several provisions designed to limit abuse, including restrictions on political interference and mechanisms for independent oversight, the proposal continues to generate debate among political parties, civil society groups and security experts over its timing and implementation.