PDP backs State Police, warns against political abuse of security initiative

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has thrown its weight behind the proposed establishment of state police, warning that political considerations should not be allowed to derail efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

As plans for state policing gather momentum, the opposition party argued that fears of possible abuse should not prevent the country from adopting a decentralised policing system to combat rising insecurity.

Speaking with Vanguard on Friday, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, said the party shares the concerns of millions of Nigerians over the worsening security situation and would support any initiative capable of addressing the challenge.

“We cannot allow political considerations to prevent us from embracing initiatives that will strengthen national security,” he said.

Mohammed stated that a properly structured state police system would empower local communities to play a greater role in protecting their areas while helping to reduce crime and insecurity nationwide.

“We believe that, if properly established and safeguarded against abuse, state police will help reduce insecurity. Local communities should take responsibility for protecting their environments from those seeking to destabilise them. In the long run, this will make Nigeria a more peaceful and secure country,” he said.

While acknowledging concerns that politicians could misuse state police, Mohammed argued that such abuses would likely be limited to election periods.

“While I agree that politicians could misuse state police, such abuse is likely to occur mainly during election periods, which come around only once every four years,” he added.

The PDP spokesman also cited countries such as the United States, where decentralised policing operates successfully, saying Nigeria could implement a similar model if guided by transparency and accountability.

“Countries such as the United States operate state police systems, so this is a welcome development. We hope the implementation of state policing will be guided by extensive public sensitisation, transparency and accountability.

“However, we urge our leaders to administer the state police with the fear of God. They must also embrace technology in the fight against insecurity. That is non-negotiable and remains the position of our party,” Mohammed stated.