A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Buba Galadima, has expressed strong opposition to the proposed creation of state police, arguing that it will neither solve Nigeria's worsening security crisis nor strengthen democracy.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News, Galadima questioned the rationale behind establishing state police when existing federal security agencies, including the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Armed Forces, are still battling widespread insecurity across the country. His remarks come amid renewed national debate following the advancement of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, which has passed the National Assembly and is currently awaiting consideration by the 36 State Houses of Assembly as part of the constitutional amendment process.
Galadima argued that simply creating another policing structure would not automatically address Nigeria's security challenges.
«"If the Nigerian Police and the Nigerian Military cannot solve security situations in Nigeria, I wonder how the state police would be able to do that," he said.»
He further alleged that the growing push for state police is politically motivated, claiming that both the President and state governors are seeking to establish state-controlled security outfits ahead of future elections.
According to him, such a structure could be exploited to intimidate political opponents, suppress dissent, and manipulate electoral outcomes rather than improve public safety.
Galadima also drew from Nigeria's political history, recalling the era of the Native Authority Police, which operated before the country's police system became centralized. He alleged that the institution was frequently abused by regional authorities to harass, detain, and silence opposition figures during election periods.
He warned that reintroducing policing powers at the state level without strong constitutional safeguards could revive similar patterns of political intimidation.
Beyond politics, Galadima expressed concern that state police could deepen ethnic and religious divisions in a diverse country like Nigeria. He argued that if recruitment into state police forces were dominated by particular ethnic or religious groups, citizens from other parts of the country might feel unsafe or discriminated against while living or conducting business outside their states of origin.
According to him, such a development could undermine national unity and create fresh tensions instead of promoting security.
The debate over state police has, however, generated sharply divided opinions among Nigerians.
Supporters of the proposal argue that Nigeria's security challenges differ significantly from one region to another and that governors often possess better knowledge of local criminal networks, terrain, and community dynamics than federal authorities. They believe decentralized policing could improve intelligence gathering, speed up emergency responses, and strengthen community policing if backed by adequate funding, professional recruitment, independent oversight, and strict accountability mechanisms.
Others also point out that allegations of political interference have existed within the current centrally controlled police system, suggesting that abuse is not unique to any particular policing structure. In their view, the solution lies in creating effective constitutional checks and balances rather than rejecting state police entirely.
On the other hand, critics share Galadima's concerns, warning that state police could become instruments of political persecution if governors exercise excessive influence over recruitment, deployment, and operations. Some observers have compared the proposal to the perceived shortcomings of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), arguing that without genuine institutional independence, state police could face similar credibility challenges.
The issue has also sparked intense debate on social media, where opinions remain deeply divided. While many Nigerians insist that the country should at least test the effectiveness of state policing in tackling insecurity, others believe any reform must prioritize professionalism, transparency, judicial oversight, and protection from political control.
As discussions continue across the country, the fate of the State Police Bill now rests with the state legislatures, whose approval is required before the constitutional amendment process can proceed further. Whatever the eventual outcome, the conversation has once again highlighted one of Nigeria's most pressing questions: how to build a policing system capable of protecting lives, safeguarding democracy, and earning the confidence of all citizens.
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