Sowore Urges Caution Over State Police Bill, Seeks Post-Election Debate
By Tams Jonah, ABUJA — African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has called for caution over the proposed State Police Bill, urging the Federal Government and the National Assembly to suspend deliberations on the legislation until after the 2027 general elections.
Sowore made the call on Tuesday while speaking on The Morning Brief, a current affairs programme on Channels Television, where he argued that the timing of the proposed constitutional amendment could create unnecessary political tension and potentially affect the credibility of the forthcoming elections.
According to him, introducing a far-reaching constitutional reform such as state policing in the months leading to a general election is ill-advised, as political actors are already focused on campaigns, candidate selection, and ensuring credible polls.
He maintained that discussions on state police should resume immediately after the elections, allowing sufficient time for broad national consultations and public participation.
Sowore also expressed concerns that the bill was being fast-tracked without adequate parliamentary scrutiny or nationwide public engagement. He argued that Nigerians across the states should have the opportunity to debate the proposal and contribute to shaping what he described as a fundamental restructuring of the country’s policing architecture.
The AAC presidential candidate further questioned the capacity of state governors to exercise control over state police responsibly, warning that such powers could be abused during election periods if the legislation is enacted before the 2027 polls.
His remarks come amid renewed efforts by the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to advance policing reforms. The President has pledged to expedite the passage of the State Police Bill and urged the National Assembly to accelerate work on the proposed legislation as part of broader measures to address rising insecurity across the country.
On Monday, the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed that the draft National Policing Bill is expected to be presented to the President in September following consultations and technical reviews by the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill.
The debate over state police has intensified in recent years as Nigeria continues to grapple with security challenges in several parts of the country. While supporters argue that decentralising policing will enhance local security and improve response to crime, critics fear the system could be vulnerable to political manipulation and raise concerns over funding and operational independence.
