A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Buba Galadima, has accused President Bola Tinubu and state governors of pushing for the establishment of state police as a political tool to undermine democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Tuesday, Galadima warned that the proposed state police would not solve Nigeria’s security challenges but would instead deepen divisions and threaten national unity. He argued that if the Nigerian Army and police forces have been unable to manage the country’s security crisis, it is unlikely that state-level police units would succeed.
Galadima questioned the logic behind creating state police when existing security agencies have failed to address rising insecurity across the nation. He emphasized that the real motive behind the push for state police is political, not security-related. According to him, the federal government and state leaders are laying the groundwork to use state police as “political thugs” to attack opposition groups, disrupt elections, and suppress democratic processes. He stressed that such a move would be a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Recalling past abuses, Galadima referenced the era of native authority police in Northern Nigeria, which he said were often misused during election periods. He described how, three months before elections, native authority police would detain opposition figures under fabricated charges such as disrespecting traditional rulers or violating local customs. He noted that these actions forced many Hausa people to flee their homes and seek refuge elsewhere, a legacy of mistrust and fear that still lingers today.
Galadima further warned that state police could become ethnically or religiously biased, especially in states where one group dominates. He said this would violate constitutional rights and restrict the freedom of movement and business for people from other regions. He stressed that such a system would not only weaken national cohesion but also create fertile ground for conflict and marginalization.
The NDC chieftain concluded that the state police initiative would create more problems than solutions. He called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and resist any move that could erode democratic principles or deepen ethnic and religious divides. His remarks come amid growing debate over the federal government’s push to empower states with their own police forces, a proposal that has sparked widespread controversy and opposition from various quarters.
As Nigeria prepares for its next general elections, the debate over state police continues to gain momentum, with critics like Galadima urging caution and transparency in any security reform.
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