Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has criticized the submission of memoranda on the establishment of state police by 16 governors to the National Economic Council (NEC).
The move comes amid growing clamor for state police as a solution to the nation’s escalating security challenges.
On Thursday, NEC confirmed receiving memoranda from 16 governors expressing support for the establishment of state police to address the country’s myriad security issues.
Although the names of the governors were not given, 20 other governors were yet to forward their reports to enable the NEC to act on them.
However, Governor Makinde, speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, described the governors’ actions as futile.
Makinde expressed his stance on state police, emphasizing that he did not submit any memorandum on the matter due to his belief that the approach would not yield the desired results promptly.
“I did not submit any memorandum on state police but my position is very clear about state police. I see it, quite frankly, as a waste of our time,” he said on Friday.
“I did not submit not because of arrogance but because I don’t think the approach will quickly get us to where we want to go. You are asking the states to submit memoranda on how state police will work.”
He highlighted the need for the issue to be addressed by the National Assembly as a constitutional matter before being replicated at the state level.
“The National Assembly, they know what to do. They have people that can quickly do this work. It is not the National Security Adviser or the National Economic Council that will deal with the issue of state police.
“It is a constitutional thing and should go to the National Assembly and then at the state level, we get our state houses of assembly to pass this law,” the governor said.
The call for state police has been a long-standing issue in Nigeria, particularly amidst worsening security challenges across the nation. Governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reiterated their support for state policing on February 12, emphasizing its significance in addressing Nigeria’s security crisis.
Regional socio-political groups such as Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Middle Belt Forum, and the Northern Elders’ Forum have also advocated for state police as a viable solution to the increasing security threats facing the country.
Several states have taken proactive measures by establishing regional security outfits like Amotekun in the South-West, Ebube Agu in the South-East, and Benue Guards in the North Central.
However, the effectiveness of these outfits has been hindered by the lack of federal government support, with states urging for authorization to bear assault rifles to confront armed criminals effectively.
