Jun 27, 2026

"State Police Too Important to Rush – ADC Warns Tinubu

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in news

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In a sharply worded press statement released on June 26, 2026, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has thrown its weight behind the concept of state police while delivering a scathing critique of the Tinubu administration’s approach to implementing this long-debated reform.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, described the current legislative push as “hurried,” “panicky,” and lacking the depth of consultation required for such a transformative change to Nigeria’s security architecture. The ADC acknowledges broad national support for decentralized policing as a necessary evolution in a federal system.

However, it warns that rushing the constitutional amendment risks turning a vital institutional reform into mere “political theatre” aimed at creating the impression of action amid worsening insecurity.

“We support state police,” the statement reads. “But support for state police cannot be confused with support for the Tinubu administration’s handling of this important national reform.”

The party argues that the reform is “too important, and the security of Nigerians too urgent,” to be reduced to a quick legislative fix without broad stakeholder consultation, careful planning, and robust safeguards.52d52b

Lack of comprehensive planning: Issues around recruitment, training, funding, command structures, independent oversight, and prevention of abuse by state governments remain unaddressed. Timing and motive: Why the sudden rush near the end of the administration’s term if genuine commitment existed earlier? Complementary reforms needed: State police should not substitute for fixing the federal Nigeria Police Force; both layers must be strengthened alongside improvements in the judiciary, prosecution, and intelligence systems. The statement emphasizes that effective security requires more than new police structures — it demands functioning courts, modern correctional services, forensic capabilities, and community intelligence.

This intervention comes as the National Assembly considers constitutional amendments to enable state police, a idea that has lingered in Nigeria’s political discourse for decades.

Proponents argue it will allow states to better tackle local security challenges, while skeptics fear it could lead to political weaponization, ethnic tensions, or uneven implementation across states.

As Nigeria grapples with persistent insecurity that has claimed countless lives and disrupted communities, the debate over state police transcends partisan lines.

The ADC’s statement highlights a crucial truth: structural reforms, while overdue, must be executed with diligence to avoid creating new problems. Whether the Tinubu administration’s approach represents decisive leadership or panicked politicking will likely remain a flashpoint.

For millions of Nigerians living under the shadow of violence, the ultimate test is not the speed of legislation but the effectiveness and accountability of the resulting security framework.

In a country yearning for safety and competent governance, this moment offers an opportunity for genuine cross-partisan collaboration — or another chapter in the familiar cycle of political posturing.

The coming weeks, as the bill progresses, will reveal much about the priorities shaping Nigeria’s future security landscape.