Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has called for far reaching judicial, fiscal and institutional reforms to ensure the success of the proposed State Police system, saying the initiative must be supported by a strong legal and financial framework.
Abiodun made the call while speaking at the THISDAY/ARISE TV Town Hall Meeting on the State Police Bill, where he stressed that creating state police alone would not address Nigeria’s security challenges without reforms to strengthen the justice system, funding arrangements and accountability mechanisms.
The governor also described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a committed federalist whose support for the devolution of policing powers reflected his long held belief in true federalism.
According to Abiodun, history will be kind to Tinubu for demonstrating the political will to decentralise policing, adding that respected elder statesman, Chief Olusegun Osoba, and Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, had both attested to the President’s federalist credentials.
He, however, urged lawmakers to address fundamental questions surrounding the proposed legislation, including why the Nigeria Police Force had struggled to achieve optimal performance and how the federal and state police systems would complement one another.
Abiodun argued that an effective state police structure would naturally result in more arrests and prosecutions, making it necessary to strengthen the judiciary to ensure speedy trials and timely dispensation of justice.
He also suggested that the National Assembly should consider additional judicial reforms, including the establishment of State Courts of Appeal to handle matters such as land disputes and reduce the burden on existing appellate courts.
The governor further called on policymakers to tackle the root causes of insecurity, particularly the recurring farmers and herders clashes, which he said had contributed significantly to food insecurity in many parts of the country.
According to him, resolving such underlying challenges would reduce pressure on law enforcement agencies while promoting peace and increasing agricultural productivity.
Speaking on funding, Abiodun warned that disparities in the revenue generating capacities of states could undermine the effectiveness of state police if not properly addressed.
He cited Ogun State as an example, noting that despite being Nigeria’s industrial hub and one of the country’s fastest growing economies, it receives relatively low allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee.
The governor said a fair funding formula that combines internally generated revenue with federal allocations would be necessary to guarantee that all states have the financial capacity to establish and sustain effective police services.
He also advocated the establishment of independent Police Complaints Commissions at both the federal and state levels to prevent abuse of power and strengthen accountability.
Abiodun welcomed proposals to expand the membership of the National Police Council to include the leadership of the National Assembly alongside state governors.
He also supported fixed tenures for State Commissioners of Police, saying the measure would protect them from undue political interference and enhance operational independence.
The governor commended THISDAY and ARISE Television for organising the town hall meeting, describing public engagement as essential to producing a State Police law that reflects the aspirations and concerns of Nigerians.
He expressed confidence that continued consultations among stakeholders would enable lawmakers to produce a robust legal framework capable of strengthening security and deepening Nigeria’s federal system.
