ADC and Obi Caution Tinubu on State Police Implementation

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi have backed the establishment of state police in Nigeria but cautioned President Bola Tinubu against rushing the implementation of proposed security reforms. They argue that a hasty approach could lead to political manipulation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The ADC accused the federal government of hastily pushing constitutional amendments and urged Tinubu to defer the implementation of state police until after the elections to prevent potential electoral manipulation by opposing parties. Obi spoke on a Friday following the National Assembly's passage of a constitutional amendment bill aimed at establishing state police as part of efforts to decentralize policing in response to growing insecurity in the country.

The ADC emphasized that while they support state police reform, it must include safeguards to prevent political abuse and ensure professional accountability. They criticized the speed of the legislative process, stating that such significant constitutional changes require extensive public consultation.