The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called for the implementation of the recently approved State Police Bill to be suspended until after the 2027 general elections, citing fears that the initiative could be exploited for political advantage.
In a statement shared on his Facebook page on Friday, Obi described the National Assembly’s passage of the bill as a landmark step towards addressing Nigeria’s security challenges but warned that inadequate safeguards could undermine its intended purpose.
According to the former Anambra State governor, the country’s centralized policing system has proven ineffective in tackling security issues across Nigeria’s diverse regions. However, he argued that the framework for implementing state policing remains weak and raises serious concerns.
Obi faulted the legislative process that led to the bill’s passage, saying a reform of such national significance should have undergone wider consultations and public scrutiny.
He maintained that the absence of public hearings and extensive stakeholder engagement had created doubts about the motives behind the legislation.
“The rush to enact the law without proper legislative procedures fuels suspicion among many observers about the political motives behind it,” Obi said.
The NDC flagbearer expressed particular concern that state police forces could be controlled by governors and used to intimidate opposition figures, disrupt political activities and influence electoral outcomes.
Drawing from Nigeria’s political history, Obi said fears surrounding the misuse of state policing powers are justified and should not be ignored.
READ ALSO: Bwala Claims Peter Obi Opposes Nigeria’s Progress, Criticises Policy Positions
To prevent abuse, he advocated the creation of independent oversight institutions, including state-level Police Service Commissions insulated from executive influence, before the law takes effect.
According to him, such mechanisms are necessary to ensure that state police serve the public interest rather than the interests of those in power.
Obi also questioned whether the current administration would be able to resist using state policing structures to influence the 2027 elections.
He argued that postponing implementation until after the polls would help allay fears of political interference and strengthen public confidence in the reform.
The National Assembly recently passed the State Police Bill as part of broader constitutional amendments aimed at decentralising policing and improving internal security across the country.