From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
Following the debates on the establishment of a State Police, the Chairman of a support group of the All Progressives Congress (APC,) Prof. Eng Kailani Muhammad has said that it is detrimental to the freedom of Nigerians, and that it will only give power to the wrong people.
Kailani said this during a press conference with Journalists in Kaduna, saying that there is no need for a State Police when governors can provide the State with a Civilian Justice Task Force (CJTF.)
According to the Professor, the issue of a State Police is worrisome to discuss considering the level of corruption in the country which is perpetrated by most governors, adding that the state government does not have sufficient resources to maintain a State Police.
He noted that some governors are yet to adjust to the principles of democracy and do not understand the rules guarding it which is why some still make irrational decisions without thinking about the good of the state and the Nation.
Engr. Kailani opined that to avail the Nigerian state governors the powers to control an entire State Police under sole authority could be suicidal to Nigeria’s democracy, saying that some state governors still attempt to control and manipulate Police Commands in their states to coerce the electorate during elections to do their bidding.
He therefore advised the Federal government to not give in to demands for the establishment of a State Police as it would cause division and provide State authorities with the freedom to do more wrongs.
“I once more deem it fit to hold this Press Conference to bring to the fore certain developments, that if we the citizens do not draw the government’s attention to, or left unchecked, might hurt the polity.”
“Firstly and most importantly, is the worrisome discussion on the issue of State Police that is making the rounds.”
“The discussions cycling the Nigerian political space, about the formation of a State Police or not, do not merit the attention of the Nigerian State at this moment.”
“The reasons are numerous and are indicative that the Nigerian State is not yet prepared for State Police.”
“In summary, let me mention a few of the obstacles that will hinder the operations of State Police in Nigeria by drawing the attention of the government on a certain disposition of our state governors.”
“It is clear to all Nigerians that the State Governor’s mindset is yet to adjust to the true principles of democracy, where it is the Government of the People, By the People and For the People.”
“It is instructive to note that, most of our State Governors believe they are demi-gods, and truly act as such. Once they take the Oath of Office, they abandon all tenets and principles of democracy that essentially bring them to the office. The problem is complex.”
“Therefore, to avail the Nigerian state governor, the powers to control an entire state Police under his sole authority could be suicidal to Nigerian democracy.”
“This is because, even now when the Police structure is not under their supervision, some state governors still attempt to resort to the Police Commands in their states to coerce the electorates during elections to toe their political paths during voting.”
“Moreover, state governors are presently finding it difficult to pay state staff salaries, so where will they get the money to pay State Police, when they solely rely on Federal government allocation without resources to the diverse natural resources in their states to improve their internally Generated Revenue (IGR).”
“There is a constructive argument that state governors might use State Police to intimidate, blackmail and victimize Nigerians either for political, ethnic, tribal or social gains for themselves, to the detriment of the state.”
“We cannot afford to copyright the United States of America, Great Britain, Germany or any other country on the issue of State Police, because we are not ready for it now.”
