State Police Should Take Effect After 2027 Elections, Says Peter Obi

State Police Should Take Effect After 2027 Elections, Says Peter Obi

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has called for the implementation of state policing in Nigeria, but advised that the reform should only take effect after the 2027 general elections.

Obi argued that while the creation of state police is necessary to address Nigeria's growing security challenges, implementing the system before the next general elections could raise concerns about political interference and abuse by incumbent state governments.

According to him, delaying the commencement of state policing until after the 2027 elections would allow for the establishment of a robust legal and institutional framework to ensure professionalism, accountability, and operational independence.

He stressed that Nigeria urgently needs a more effective and decentralized policing structure capable of responding to local security threats, but insisted that adequate safeguards must be put in place to prevent the misuse of state police for partisan purposes.

Political analysts say Obi's proposal reflects the ongoing national debate over constitutional reforms and security restructuring, with supporters arguing that state police would enhance community security, while critics warn of the potential for political abuse if not properly regulated.

The issue of state police remains one of the key constitutional and security reforms being discussed by policymakers, civil society groups, and other stakeholders as Nigeria seeks lasting solutions to its security challenges.