ADC Criticizes Tinubu's Rush on State Police Bill

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) issued a statement on Friday criticizing President Bola Tinubu's administration for rushing the State Police Bill, suggesting it is an attempt to mask security failures in Nigeria. Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC's spokesperson, described the bill as a politically motivated move rather than a thoughtful constitutional reform.

The ADC supports the principle of state policing but argues that the current approach is a panic response to the escalating issues of banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism. They contend that effective policing requires strong institutional safeguards and a comprehensive plan, which they believe the administration lacks.

The ADC questioned why the Tinubu administration waited until nearly the end of its tenure to pursue state policing aggressively, asserting that passing the law alone will not resolve Nigeria's security challenges. They emphasized that critical elements such as recruitment, training, funding, command structure, intelligence coordination, and judicial oversight cannot be established overnight.