Sowore Warns Against Rushing State Police Bill, Calls For Delay Until After Elections

Sowore Warns Against Rushing State Police Bill, Calls for Delay Until After Elections Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress AAC, Omoyele Sowore, has cautioned against the rapid passage of the proposed state police bill, urging that discussions on the reform should be postponed until after the 2027 general elections. Calls for the establishment of state police have increased in recent times as security challenges continue to affect parts of Nigeria. Supporters of the proposal argue that decentralising policing would improve local intelligence gathering and enable faster responses to crime, while critics have raised concerns over possible political interference and misuse of power. President Bola Tinubu has backed the creation of state police and urged the National Assembly to accelerate work on the proposed legislation, describing it as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security framework. Speaking on the debate, Sowore argued that the timing of the proposed constitutional change was inappropriate with elections approaching. He said the issue required wider public consultation and careful consideration because of its potential impact on Nigeria’s governance and security structure. He also expressed concerns about granting state governors control over police formations, warning that safeguards would be needed to prevent possible abuse and political interference. Supporters of the state police proposal maintain that the current centralised policing structure has struggled to effectively address rising insecurity, while opponents continue to call for stronger accountability measures before implementation. The debate over state police remains one of Nigeria’s most significant security and constitutional reform discussions, with lawmakers continuing work on the proposed changes.