The National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has opposed the planned implementation of state police, arguing that the current administration lacks the credibility and public trust to carry out such a major security reform.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Baba-Ahmed said although Nigeria’s policing system urgently needs reform, introducing state police under the present government could create more problems than it solves.
According to him, the idea of state police is not new and has been discussed by previous administrations for years. He questioned why earlier governments failed to implement the proposal if it was considered the ultimate solution to Nigeria’s security challenges.
“There are many reasons why policing in Nigeria should be reformed, but there are also many reasons why this is not the right time to introduce state police,” he said.
Baba-Ahmed argued that President Bola Tinubu still has several options within the existing security framework to improve security without creating state police.
He said the Federal Government could strengthen the Nigeria Police Force, improve the performance of the military and take other practical steps to reduce insecurity before considering a new policing structure.
“There are still many things President Tinubu can do with the existing security structure to improve security and stop the killings across the country,” he stated.
The PRP chairman also expressed concern that state police could become a political tool in the hands of state governments if introduced under the current administration.
He claimed many Nigerians have little confidence in the government’s sincerity in addressing insecurity, warning that implementing state police now could further deepen public distrust.
“This is the worst possible time to implement state police,” Baba-Ahmed added.
While acknowledging that Nigeria’s policing system requires comprehensive reforms, he insisted that such a significant change should only be carried out by an administration that enjoys greater public confidence and legitimacy.
Source: Channels Television
