The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has strongly opposed the Federal Government’s proposal to establish state police, arguing that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu lacks the credibility and public trust necessary to implement such a major reform. In a statement issued on June 25, PRP National Chairman Hakeem Baba-Ahmed expressed concern that the government has failed to manage existing security institutions effectively, raising doubts about its ability to oversee new policing structures.
PRP Rejects State Police Amid Security Failures
Baba-Ahmed stated, “The APC administration has failed to manage our security structure and institutions. Its plan to engineer the emergence of state police is suspicious and it should be rejected.” The party acknowledged the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in Nigeria’s security architecture but insisted that the government should focus on fixing current institutions rather than pursuing structural changes. According to the PRP, Nigeria requires a major review and overhaul of its security and law enforcement systems to restore public confidence.
Call to Defer Decision Until After Next Election
The party further argued that any decision on creating state police should be deferred until after the next general election. Baba-Ahmed explained, “The forthcoming election should be a threshold which should be crossed with credibility and popular acclaim before the nation decides on important issues such as state police structures.” The PRP urged the government to prioritise tackling insecurity and improving the safety of citizens, describing the current situation as a “nightmare” for many Nigerians.
Debate Over State Police Intensifies
The debate over the establishment of state police has gained renewed attention in recent weeks. Supporters argue that decentralised policing would improve local intelligence gathering and response to threats, while critics fear that state governments could misuse such powers for political purposes. The PRP’s opposition adds a significant voice to the growing criticism of the Tinubu administration’s security policies.
PRP’s Previous Rejection of Obi and Kwankwaso
In related news, Legit.ng earlier reported that Hakeem Baba-Ahmed revealed that former presidential candidates Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) were not accepted into the PRP ahead of the 2027 general election. Speaking on a Hausa political programme, Baba-Ahmed stated that discussions between the two political figures and the PRP broke down after the party rejected their conditions to join. According to Daily Trust, the former presidential aide explained that Obi and Kwankwaso had approached the PRP for potential collaboration, and talks progressed to the point where a committee was proposed to continue discussions on “certain demands they made.”
