Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has urged the Federal Government to postpone the rollout of state police until after the 2027 general elections, citing risks of political manipulation and abuse.
In a statement released on Thursday, June 26, 2026, Obi warned that introducing the new policing system before the polls could enable governors to use state-controlled forces to intimidate opponents, suppress opposition activities, and influence electoral outcomes.
“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,” Obi stated.
While acknowledging that the passage of the State Police Bill by the National Assembly is a positive step toward tackling Nigeria’s longstanding security challenges, Obi noted that many Nigerians and security experts have long supported decentralised policing due to the country’s size and diversity.
He, however, criticised the legislative process for lacking sufficient public consultation and broader stakeholder engagement on a matter of such national importance.
Obi emphasised the need for policing to be more visible at local government and community levels and called for the creation of independent state-level Police Service Commissions that are insulated from executive control.
“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… to ensure that policing serves the public interest rather than the interests of the ruling elite,” he added.
The National Assembly recently passed constitutional amendments enabling states to establish their own police services amid rising concerns over insecurity across the country.
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