State Police Could Become Political Tool, NILDS Director-General Warns

The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies has backed the proposed establishment of state police as a possible response to insecurity while warning about the potential for political abuse.

NILDS Director-General, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, raised the concern during a discussion on Nigeria’s proposed policing reforms in Abuja.

Sulaiman said the creation of state police could strengthen the country’s response to insecurity.

However, he questioned the consequences of placing state police formations under the direct control of governors.

According to him, the conduct of some governors had raised concerns about whether they could exercise such authority responsibly.

He cited allegations surrounding compliance with a Supreme Court judgment on local government financial autonomy.

Sulaiman also raised concerns about local government elections, alleging that opposition parties had sometimes faced restrictions on campaigning and competing.

He questioned whether such governors should control police formations at the state level.

The NILDS director-general said the concerns did not necessarily mean state police should be abandoned, but stressed the need for safeguards to prevent the new structure from being turned into a political weapon.