Jul 13, 2026

President Can Checkmate Abusive Governors on State Police—Barau

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in news

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KADUNA — Amid ongoing national debates on decentralizing policing in Nigeria, Barau Jibrin, Deputy President of the Senate, has offered a reassuring perspective on the much-discussed state police initiative.

Speaking on Saturday during the live Hausa programme Hannu Da Yawa on Radio Nigeria Kaduna, Senator Barau, who chairs the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, affirmed that the proposed framework includes built-in constitutional guardrails.

According to him, these mechanisms would allow the President to intervene decisively if any governor attempts to abuse the state police outfit.

The statement comes as Nigeria grapples with persistent security challenges and questions about the balance of power between federal and state authorities.

Senator Barau’s comments reflect a broader push for constitutional reforms aimed at addressing Nigeria’s complex security architecture.

Proponents of state police argue it would enable quicker local responses to threats, reduce the burden on the overstretched Nigeria Police Force, and improve accountability.

Critics, however, fear it could be weaponized for political vendettas, ethnic domination, or suppression of opposition voices—concerns that Barau directly addressed through the lens of presidential oversight.

As chairman of the constitution review committee, Barau Jibrin is at the heart of efforts to amend the 1999 Constitution.

His remarks signal that lawmakers are mindful of potential pitfalls and are designing safeguards to preserve federal supremacy in critical areas while granting states operational flexibility.

For ordinary Nigerians, especially in rural communities plagued by banditry, kidnapping, and farmer-herder clashes, the conversation is far from abstract.

Many have lost loved ones or livelihoods due to delayed responses from centralized policing. State police, if properly structured, could represent a game-changer — but only if abuses are prevented.

Barau’s intervention adds a layer of confidence to the reform process.

By emphasizing presidential intervention powers, it seeks to reassure skeptics that state police will not become tools of tyranny but rather instruments of effective governance.

The Senate’s constitution review process continues to draw attention from across the political spectrum.

As deliberations advance, stakeholders — from governors and security experts to civil society groups — are expected to weigh in, ensuring the final framework balances autonomy with accountability.

In a country where trust in institutions is often tested, Barau Jibrin’s message offers a measured optimism: reform is possible, but with guardrails firmly in place.