Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele emphasized the need for state police to address Nigeria’s security issues during a lecture at the University of Ilorin.
Speaking at the Department of Political Science, in conjunction with the Institute of Legislative Studies, Senator Bamidele delivered a lecture titled “Constitutional Amendment and Political Dynamics of State Policing in Nigeria.”
Senator Bamidele argued for the decentralization of security affairs in Nigeria, asserting that state policing could be an effective alternative to the current central police force, which he believes has failed to manage the nation’s security challenges adequately.
However, Senator Bamidele acknowledged the political complexities of establishing state police, particularly the risk of abuse of power by state governors. He highlighted the potential for state police forces to be used to suppress political opposition or violate human rights, referencing Nigeria’s history of political tensions and power abuses.
“To mitigate such risks, any constitutional amendment must be accompanied by stringent checks and balances,” Senator Bamidele said. “There should be robust mechanisms for oversight and accountability to ensure that state police forces operate within the bounds of the law and respect citizens’ rights. Federal oversight, independent review boards, and clear legislative frameworks are essential to prevent misuse of power.”
Senator Bamidele also addressed the economic feasibility of state policing, emphasizing the significant financial investment required to establish and maintain state police forces. He suggested that the Federal Government could support the transition through grants and technical assistance to ensure no state is disadvantaged due to financial constraints.
He called for broad consensus and collaboration among federal, state, and local governments in the constitutional amendment process. He stressed the importance of involving stakeholders, including civil society organizations, traditional leaders, and the general populace, to ensure the transition is transparent and inclusive. Public education and awareness campaigns are crucial to garnering support for state policing.
“In other words, a constitutional amendment to introduce state policing represents a transformative shift in Nigeria’s security landscape,” he concluded. “While the political dynamics and challenges are substantial, they are not insurmountable. With careful planning, robust safeguards, and a commitment to democratic principles, Nigeria can build a more responsive, accountable, and effective policing system.”
In his welcome address, Dr. Adebola Bakare, the acting Head of the Department of Political Science, explained that the topic was chosen to stimulate discourse on the conflicting views regarding state policing. He noted the division among Nigerians, with some advocating for state police to complement federal policing and others fearing potential abuses by state governors.
“Our intention is to use today’s lecture to stimulate further discourse on the subject matter,” Dr. Bakare said. “We plan to organize a two-day roundtable subsequent to today’s lecture where stakeholders, including security officials, CSOs, farmers, herders, marketers, and the media, among others, will be invited to deliberate on the way forward.”
