Obi Warns State Police Could Be Used to Influence 2027 Elections
…Says Concerns Stem from History
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has warned that the successful implementation of state police could be used to influence the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Friday, Obi noted that the recent passage of the State Police Bill by the National Assembly marks a significant legislative milestone in addressing a long-standing demand of Nigerians.
“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,” he said.
However, Obi maintained that the legislative and constitutional implementation of the bill appears shaky and raises legitimate concerns.
He argued that the process should involve greater community participation, stressing that policing should be more visible at the local government and community levels.
Obi also pointed out that the process of passing the law appeared highly disorganised, with no public hearing held on what he described as a sensitive issue.
“Indeed, the rush to enact the law without proper legislative procedures fuels suspicion among many observers about the political motives behind it.
“The greatest concern does not arise from logistical issues; it stems from history. There is a widespread, justifiable fear that state police forces could become instruments in the hands of governors. The suspicion is that a state-controlled police force could be weaponised to suppress political rivals, disrupt opposition rallies, and manipulate elections,” he said.
Obi emphasised that for state policing to evolve from a risky political gamble into a genuine security solution, the law must not only permit states to establish police forces but also clearly provide for independent oversight bodies, such as a state-level Police Service Commission that is entirely free from executive influence.
According to him, this would ensure that policing serves the public interest rather than the interests of the ruling elite.
The former Anambra State governor further stated that, based on what Nigerians have seen so far, there is no guarantee that the Bola Tinubu 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,” he added.
