Post by Ibadan Watch (@Ibadanwatch)

Tinubu Administration Cannot Be Trusted With State Police, Says PRP

The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has expressed strong reservations over the Federal Government's move to establish state police through a constitutional amendment, arguing that the administration of President Bola Tinubu lacks the credibility and public trust required to carry out such a major reform.

In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the opposition party described the Tinubu administration's credibility and competence as being at an unprecedented low in Nigeria's democratic history.

While acknowledging that Nigeria's security and law enforcement institutions require comprehensive reforms to effectively tackle insecurity and restore public confidence in government, the PRP maintained that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration lacks the moral authority to restructure the country's policing system.

The party said that, based on past experience, the administration would most likely secure the constitutional backing needed to establish state police.

"Going by precedent and record, this administration will almost certainly secure what is needed to amend the Constitution and actualise its desire to establish State Police," the statement said.

According to the PRP, although Nigeria urgently needs a comprehensive review and overhaul of its security and law enforcement institutions to improve national security and rebuild citizens' confidence in leadership and critical institutions, the current administration does not enjoy the trust of Nigerians to undertake such a far-reaching reform.

The party further accused the APC government of failing to effectively manage the nation's security architecture, describing its proposal to create state police as suspicious and one that should be rejected.

"The APC administration has failed to manage our security structure and institutions. Its plan to engineer the emergence of State Police is suspicious and it should be rejected," the statement added.

The PRP also argued that the next general election should serve as a test of the administration's credibility and acceptance by Nigerians before any major constitutional changes, including the establishment of state police, are considered.

In addition, the opposition party urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to protect lives and property and take decisive steps to end the persistent insecurity across the country.

The statement comes after President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, transmitted to the Senate a bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide for the establishment of state police services across the federation. The Senate subsequently passed the bill on Wednesday.

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