ADC backs state police, faults Tinubu’s rushed approach

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the Federal Government’s handling of the proposed state police reform, saying the move is being pushed through too quickly without the planning needed for such a major constitutional change.

The party made its position known on Friday through a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi. While reaffirming its long-standing support for the creation of state police, the ADC said the current process under President Bola Tinubu’s administration lacks the institutional framework required to make the reform effective and accountable.

According to the party, state police is a reform it has consistently supported because Nigeria’s policing structure should reflect the country’s federal system. However, it argued that the government’s current effort appears to be a response to the worsening security situation rather than the outcome of careful planning.

The ADC maintained that decentralised policing has been part of national discussions for many years and should not be presented as a new initiative. It added that creating state police alone would not immediately solve problems such as terrorism, kidnapping and banditry.

The opposition party also questioned the speed with which the constitutional amendment is being processed by the National Assembly. It argued that a proposal capable of changing the country’s constitutional structure should involve extensive consultations with stakeholders and the public before passage.

The party further wondered why the administration only began pushing for the reform at this stage of its tenure if it had always considered state police a priority.

It also warned that passing the bill would only be the beginning of the process, noting that states would still need time and resources to recruit officers, provide training, purchase equipment, establish operational structures and create independent oversight systems before state police could function effectively.

The ADC also raised concerns about the absence of clear measures to prevent political interference. It questioned how recruitment, funding, discipline and deployment would be regulated and what mechanisms would stop state police from being used against political opponents.

According to the party, these issues must be addressed before implementation to ensure the new policing system strengthens security instead of creating fresh challenges.

The party also said the proposed reform should not replace efforts to improve the Nigeria Police Force. It argued that the federal police would continue to play a major role in tackling terrorism, intelligence gathering and crimes that cross state boundaries.

The ADC added that improving security in Nigeria requires broader reforms covering the judiciary, correctional system, prosecution process, intelligence gathering and forensic investigation, rather than relying on state police alone.

The National Assembly is currently considering constitutional amendments that would allow states to establish their own police services.

Supporters believe the move will improve community policing and local intelligence, while critics continue to express concerns about political misuse and the ability of states to finance independent police organisations.