The leading Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has declared its support for the creation of state police in Nigeria. However, the group issued a strong warning on Sunday, stating that the proposed system will fail without comprehensive reforms to the national policing structure.
A Stark Warning to Tinubu and the National Assembly
In a statement released from Abakaliki and signed by Deputy President General Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and National Spokesman Chief Chinenyeze Ohia, Ohanaeze cautioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government. The organization expressed a grave concern: without proper foundational reforms, state police could be exploited by governors, particularly in northern Nigeria, to manipulate the outcome of the 2027 general elections and potentially unseat President Tinubu.
The body described Nigeria's current security framework as a "dilapidated remnant of military-era federalism" that has completely collapsed. They argued the nation faces a dual crisis: a failing central security apparatus and the breakdown of an overcentralised political system that benefits a select political elite.
The Deepening Security and Governance Crisis
Ohanaeze highlighted the severe impact of the nation's security woes, which include rampant kidnappings, banditry, terrorism, and what it termed "genocidal violence" affecting communities across religious lines. This crisis, they stated, has not only created widespread fear but has also tarnished Nigeria's international reputation and worsened economic hardship for its citizens.
The group asserted that a sustainable solution requires a full renegotiation of the Nigerian federation to establish true federalism and regional autonomy, with state police being a critical component. While acknowledging that many states agree the centralized police system has failed, Ohanaeze stressed that mere decentralization is not enough. Genuine reforms are essential to protect citizens from both criminals and potential abuse by politicians.
Concerns Over Northern Endorsement and Gubernatorial Power
The statement expressed specific apprehension regarding the recent support for state police voiced by Northern Governors and traditional rulers. Ohanaeze alleged that many of these leaders had previously enabled the insecurity they now seek powers to address, with terrorism and banditry still pervasive in their regions.
Beyond electoral fears, the organization accused governors nationwide of trying to undermine the Supreme Court's ruling on local government autonomy through their state assemblies. This pattern, they warned, shows a tendency to concentrate power at the state level and ignore constitutional checks—a habit that would become far more dangerous if governors control police forces without strict safeguards.
"Ohanaeze Ndigbo is compelled to caution the Federal Government that if the National Assembly fails to implement airtight police reforms, some governors, especially in the North, may weaponise state police systems to perpetrate electoral malfeasance," the statement read.
The group, therefore, urged the National Assembly to immediately begin crafting a robust legal framework. This framework must prevent abuse, ensure transparency, and guarantee that state police remain professional institutions focused on public safety, not political ambitions. Ohanaeze reaffirmed that state policing is the only viable solution to the security crisis but insisted it must be accompanied by strong oversight and constitutional safeguards.
