The African Democratic Congress has faulted the President Bola Tinubu-led government’s push for state police, describing the proposed legislation as a hurried response to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity rather than a carefully planned constitutional reform.In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said although it has consistently supported the creation of state police, the reform cannot succeed without the institutional safeguards needed to ensure professionalism, accountability and effective oversight.The opposition party argued that state police should not be presented as an immediate solution to the country’s growing challenges of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.“The African Democratic Congress supports state police. We have always believed that Nigeria’s policing architecture must evolve to reflect the realities of our federal system. But support for state police cannot be confused with support for the Tinubu administration’s handling of this important national reform,” the statement said.According to the party, the current effort by the Federal Government amounts to “a hurried response to a worsening security crisis, not the careful institutional planning required to build a functional, accountable, and effective policing system.”The ADC also rejected what it described as attempts to portray state police as a new initiative, noting that decentralised policing has featured prominently in Nigeria’s constitutional debate for decades.“It is equally important to state that there is nothing novel about the idea of state police.“What is new is the attempt by the Tinubu administration to package this long-standing national consensus as a bold new initiative and, worse, to present it as a silver bullet for the country’s current security crisis. It is neither. State police is a structural reform whose benefits will only be realised over time. It cannot, by itself, solve today’s emergency,” the statement read in part.The party criticised the speed with which the proposed legislation is being processed by the National Assembly, insisting that constitutional amendments of such magnitude require extensive public consultation and stakeholder engagement.“Legislation with such far-reaching implications for every Nigerian, and one that could fundamentally alter the country’s constitutional architecture, requires broad consultation and careful reflection,” it stated.“Instead, what we are seeing is a government in desperate haste to amend the Constitution in order to create the impression that it is doing something about the country’s worsening insecurity.”Related NewsShelve state police till after 2027 election, Obi tells TinubuPolice arrest student over false bandit invasion claim in BayelsaInsecurity: Army to recruit 28,000 more soldiers, opens new training depotThe ADC also questioned the timing of the initiative.“After all, if President Tinubu were genuinely committed to state police, why did it take his administration almost until the end of its tenure to begin rushing through a constitutional amendment?” it asked.The party argued that even if the legislation is eventually passed, establishing functional state police services would require significant investments in recruitment, training, funding, equipment, operational structures and independent oversight, processes that cannot be completed in a short period.It also raised concerns over the absence of clear safeguards against political interference.“What safeguards will prevent state police from becoming instruments of political intimidation? What guarantees exist for genuinely independent state legislatures and judiciaries capable of exercising meaningful oversight? Who will regulate recruitment, deployment, discipline and funding?” the statement queried.According to the ADC, these issues are fundamental to ensuring that state police strengthens security rather than becoming vulnerable to abuse.The party further warned against treating state police as a substitute for reforming the Nigeria Police Force, stressing that the federal police would continue to play the leading role in counterterrorism, interstate crime and intelligence coordination.It maintained that effective policing must be supported by reforms in the judiciary, correctional services, prosecution, intelligence gathering and forensic capacity.“The ADC will support measures that genuinely strengthen Nigeria’s security. But we will continue to oppose every attempt to substitute the hard work of building institutions capable of keeping Nigerians safe with mere political theatre,” the statement added.The National Assembly is currently considering constitutional amendments that would allow states to establish their own police services, a proposal that has generated renewed debate amid rising insecurity across the country.While supporters argue that decentralised policing will improve local intelligence and response, critics have continued to express concerns over possible political abuse and the capacity of states to sustain independent police forces. In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said although it has consistently supported the creation of state police, the reform cannot succeed without the institutional safeguards needed to ensure professionalism, accountability and effective oversight.The opposition party argued that state police should not be presented as an immediate solution to the country’s growing challenges of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.“The African Democratic Congress supports state police. We have always believed that Nigeria’s policing architecture must evolve to reflect the realities of our federal system. But support for state police cannot be confused with support for the Tinubu administration’s handling of this important national reform,” the statement said.According to the party, the current effort by the Federal Government amounts to “a hurried response to a worsening security crisis, not the careful institutional planning required to build a functional, accountable, and effective policing system.”The ADC also rejected what it described as attempts to portray state police as a new initiative, noting that decentralised policing has featured prominently in Nigeria’s constitutional debate for decades.“It is equally important to state that there is nothing novel about the idea of state police.“What is new is the attempt by the Tinubu administration to package this long-standing national consensus as a bold new initiative and, worse, to present it as a silver bullet for the country’s current security crisis. It is neither. State police is a structural reform whose benefits will only be realised over time. It cannot, by itself, solve today’s emergency,” the statement read in part.The party criticised the speed with which the proposed legislation is being processed by the National Assembly, insisting that constitutional amendments of such magnitude require extensive public consultation and stakeholder engagement.“Legislation with such far-reaching implications for every Nigerian, and one that could fundamentally alter the country’s constitutional architecture, requires broad consultation and careful reflection,” it stated.“Instead, what we are seeing is a government in desperate haste to amend the Constitution in order to create the impression that it is doing something about the country’s worsening insecurity.”Related NewsShelve state police till after 2027 election, Obi tells TinubuPolice arrest student over false bandit invasion claim in BayelsaInsecurity: Army to recruit 28,000 more soldiers, opens new training depotThe ADC also questioned the timing of the initiative.“After all, if President Tinubu were genuinely committed to state police, why did it take his administration almost until the end of its tenure to begin rushing through a constitutional amendment?” it asked.The party argued that even if the legislation is eventually passed, establishing functional state police services would require significant investments in recruitment, training, funding, equipment, operational structures and independent oversight, processes that cannot be completed in a short period.It also raised concerns over the absence of clear safeguards against political interference.“What safeguards will prevent state police from becoming instruments of political intimidation? What guarantees exist for genuinely independent state legislatures and judiciaries capable of exercising meaningful oversight? Who will regulate recruitment, deployment, discipline and funding?” the statement queried.According to the ADC, these issues are fundamental to ensuring that state police strengthens security rather than becoming vulnerable to abuse.The party further warned against treating state police as a substitute for reforming the Nigeria Police Force, stressing that the federal police would continue to play the leading role in counterterrorism, interstate crime and intelligence coordination.It maintained that effective policing must be supported by reforms in the judiciary, correctional services, prosecution, intelligence gathering and forensic capacity.“The ADC will support measures that genuinely strengthen Nigeria’s security. But we will continue to oppose every attempt to substitute the hard work of building institutions capable of keeping Nigerians safe with mere political theatre,” the statement added.The National Assembly is currently considering constitutional amendments that would allow states to establish their own police services, a proposal that has generated renewed debate amid rising insecurity across the country.While supporters argue that decentralised policing will improve local intelligence and response, critics have continued to express concerns over possible political abuse and the capacity of states to sustain independent police forces. The opposition party argued that state police should not be presented as an immediate solution to the country’s growing challenges of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.“The African Democratic Congress supports state police. We have always believed that Nigeria’s policing architecture must evolve to reflect the realities of our federal system. But support for state police cannot be confused with support for the Tinubu administration’s handling of this important national reform,” the statement said.According to the party, the current effort by the Federal Government amounts to “a hurried response to a worsening security crisis, not the careful institutional planning required to build a functional, accountable, and effective policing system.”The ADC also rejected what it described as attempts to portray state police as a new initiative, noting that decentralised policing has featured prominently in Nigeria’s constitutional debate for decades.“It is equally important to state that there is nothing novel about the idea of state police.“What is new is the attempt by the Tinubu administration to package this long-standing national consensus as a bold new initiative and, worse, to present it as a silver bullet for the country’s current security crisis. It is neither. State police is a structural reform whose benefits will only be realised over time. It cannot, by itself, solve today’s emergency,” the statement read in part.The party criticised the speed with which the proposed legislation is being processed by the National Assembly, insisting that constitutional amendments of such magnitude require extensive public consultation and stakeholder engagement.“Legislation with such far-reaching implications for every Nigerian, and one that could fundamentally alter the country’s constitutional architecture, requires broad consultation and careful reflection,” it stated.“Instead, what we are seeing is a government in desperate haste to amend the Constitution in order to create the impression that it is doing something about the country’s worsening insecurity.”Related NewsShelve state police till after 2027 election, Obi tells TinubuPolice arrest student over false bandit invasion claim in BayelsaInsecurity: Army to recruit 28,000 more soldiers, opens new training depotThe ADC also questioned the timing of the initiative.“After all, if President Tinubu were genuinely committed to state police, why did it take his administration almost until the end of its tenure to begin rushing through a constitutional amendment?” it asked.The party argued that even if the legislation is eventually passed, establishing functional state police services would require significant investments in recruitment, training, funding, equipment, operational structures and independent oversight, processes that cannot be completed in a short period.It also raised concerns over the absence of clear safeguards against political interference.“What safeguards will prevent state police from becoming instruments of political intimidation? What guarantees exist for genuinely independent state legislatures and judiciaries capable of exercising meaningful oversight? Who will regulate recruitment, deployment, discipline and funding?” the statement queried.According to the ADC, these issues are fundamental to ensuring that state police strengthens security rather than becoming vulnerable to abuse.The party further warned against treating state police as a substitute for reforming the Nigeria Police Force, stressing that the federal police would continue to play the leading role in counterterrorism, interstate crime and intelligence coordination.It maintained that effective policing must be supported by reforms in the judiciary, correctional services, prosecution, intelligence gathering and forensic capacity.“The ADC will support measures that genuinely strengthen Nigeria’s security. But we will continue to oppose every attempt to substitute the hard work of building institutions capable of keeping Nigerians safe with mere political theatre,” the statement added.The National Assembly is currently considering constitutional amendments that would allow states to establish their own police services, a proposal that has generated renewed debate amid rising insecurity across the country.While supporters argue that decentralised policing will improve local intelligence and response, critics have continued to express concerns over possible political abuse and the capacity of states to sustain independent police forces. “The African Democratic Congress supports state police. We have always believed that Nigeria’s policing architecture must evolve to reflect the realities of our federal system. But support for state police cannot be confused with support for the Tinubu administration’s handling of this important national reform,” the statement said.According to the party, the current effort by the Federal Government amounts to “a hurried response to a worsening security crisis, not the careful institutional planning required to build a functional, accountable, and effective policing system.”The ADC also rejected what it described as attempts to portray state police as a new initiative, noting that decentralised policing has featured prominently in Nigeria’s constitutional debate for decades.“It is equally important to state that there is nothing novel about the idea of state police.“What is new is the attempt by the Tinubu administration to package this long-standing national consensus as a bold new initiative and, worse, to present it as a silver bullet for the country’s current security crisis. It is neither. State police is a structural reform whose benefits will only be realised over time. It cannot, by itself, solve today’s emergency,” the statement read in part.The party criticised the speed with which the proposed legislation is being processed by the National Assembly, insisting that constitutional amendments of such magnitude require extensive public consultation and stakeholder engagement.“Legislation with such far-reaching implications for every Nigerian, and one that could fundamentally alter the country’s constitutional architecture, requires broad consultation and careful reflection,” it stated.“Instead, what we are seeing is a government in desperate haste to amend the Constitution in order to create the impression that it is doing something about the country’s worsening insecurity.”Related NewsShelve state police till after 2027 election, Obi tells TinubuPolice arrest student over false bandit invasion claim in BayelsaInsecurity: Army to recruit 28,000 more soldiers, opens new training depotThe ADC also questioned the timing of the initiative.“After all, if President Tinubu were genuinely committed to state police, why did it take his administration almost until the end of its tenure to begin rushing through a constitutional amendment?” it asked.The party argued that even if the legislation is eventually passed, establishing functional state police services would require significant investments in recruitment, training, funding, equipment, operational structures and independent oversight, processes that cannot be completed in a short period.It also raised concerns over the absence of clear safeguards against political interference.“What safeguards will prevent state police from becoming instruments of political intimidation? What guarantees exist for genuinely independent state legislatures and judiciaries capable of exercising meaningful oversight? Who will regulate recruitment, deployment, discipline and funding?” the statement queried.According to the ADC, these issues are fundamental to ensuring that state police strengthens security rather than becoming vulnerable to abuse.The party further warned against treating state police as a substitute for reforming the Nigeria Police Force, stressing that the federal police would continue to play the leading role in counterterrorism, interstate crime and intelligence coordination.It maintained that effective policing must be supported by reforms in the judiciary, correctional services, prosecution, intelligence gathering and forensic capacity.“The ADC will support measures that genuinely strengthen Nigeria’s security. But we will continue to oppose every attempt to substitute the hard work of building institutions capable of keeping Nigerians safe with mere political theatre,” the statement added.The National Assembly is currently considering constitutional amendments that would allow states to establish their own police services, a proposal that has generated renewed debate amid rising insecurity across the country.While supporters argue that decentralised policing will improve local intelligence and response, critics have continued to express concerns over possible political abuse and the capacity of states to sustain independent police forces. According to the party, the current effort by the Federal Government amounts to “a hurried response to a worsening security crisis, not the careful institutional planning required to build a functional, accountable, and effective policing system.”The ADC also rejected what it described as attempts to portray state police as a new initiative, noting that decentralised policing has featured prominently in Nigeria’s constitutional debate for decades.“It is equally important to state that there is nothing novel about the idea of state police.“What is new is the attempt by the Tinubu administration to package this long-standing national consensus as a bold new initiative and, worse, to present it as a silver bullet for the country’s current security crisis. It is neither. State police is a structural reform whose benefits will only be realised over time. It cannot, by itself, solve today’s emergency,” the statement read in part.The party criticised the speed with which the proposed legislation is being processed by the National Assembly, insisting that constitutional amendments of such magnitude require extensive public consultation and stakeholder engagement.“Legislation with such far-reaching implications for every Nigerian, and one that could fundamentally alter the country’s constitutional architecture, requires broad consultation and careful reflection,” it stated.“Instead, what we are seeing is a government in desperate haste to amend the Constitution in order to create the impression that it is doing something about the country’s worsening insecurity.”Related NewsShelve state police till after 2027 election, Obi tells TinubuPolice arrest student over false bandit invasion claim in BayelsaInsecurity: Army to recruit 28,000 more soldiers, opens new training depotThe ADC also questioned the timing of the initiative.“After all, if President Tinubu were genuinely committed to state police, why did it take his administration almost until the end of its tenure to begin rushing through a constitutional amendment?” it asked.The party argued that even if the legislation is eventually passed, establishing functional state police services would require significant investments in recruitment, training, funding, equipment, operational structures and independent oversight, processes that cannot be completed in a short period.It also raised concerns over the absence of clear safeguards against political interference.“What safeguards will prevent state police from becoming instruments of political intimidation? What guarantees exist for genuinely independent state legislatures and judiciaries capable of exercising meaningful oversight? Who will regulate recruitment, deployment, discipline and funding?” the statement queried.According to the ADC, these issues are fundamental to ensuring that state police strengthens security rather than becoming vulnerable to abuse.The party further warned against treating state police as a substitute for reforming the Nigeria Police Force, stressing that the federal police would continue to play the leading role in counterterrorism, interstate crime and intelligence coordination.It maintained that effective policing must be supported by reforms in the judiciary, correctional services, prosecution, intelligence gathering and forensic capacity.“The ADC will support measures that genuinely strengthen Nigeria’s security. But we will continue to oppose every attempt to substitute the hard work of building institutions capable of keeping Nigerians safe with mere political theatre,” the statement added.The National Assembly is currently considering constitutional amendments that would allow states to establish their own police services, a proposal that has generated renewed debate amid rising insecurity across the country.While supporters argue that decentralised policing will improve local intelligence and response, critics have continued to express concerns over possible political abuse and the capacity of states to sustain independent police forces. The ADC also rejected what it described as attempts to portray state police as a new initiative, noting that decentralised policing has featured prominently in Nigeria’s constitutional debate for decades.“It is equally important to state that there is nothing novel about the idea of state police.“What is new is the attempt by the Tinubu administration to package this long-standing national consensus as a bold new initiative and, worse, to present it as a silver bullet for the country’s current security crisis. It is neither. State police is a structural reform whose benefits will only be realised over time. It cannot, by itself, solve today’s emergency,” the statement read in part.The party criticised the speed with which the proposed legislation is being processed by the National Assembly, insisting that constitutional amendments of such magnitude require extensive public consultation and stakeholder engagement.“Legislation with such far-reaching implications for every Nigerian, and one that could fundamentally alter the country’s constitutional architecture, requires broad consultation and careful reflection,” it stated.“Instead, what we are seeing is a government in desperate haste to amend the Constitution in order to create the impression that it is doing something about the country’s worsening insecurity.”Related NewsShelve state police till after 2027 election, Obi tells TinubuPolice arrest student over false bandit invasion claim in BayelsaInsecurity: Army to recruit 28,000 more soldiers, opens new training depotThe ADC also questioned the timing of the initiative.“After all, if President Tinubu were genuinely committed to state police, why did it take his administration almost until the end of its tenure to begin rushing through a constitutional amendment?” it asked.The party argued that even if the legislation is eventually passed, establishing functional state police services would require significant investments in recruitment, training, funding, equipment, operational structures and independent oversight, processes that cannot be completed in a short period.It also raised concerns over the absence of clear safeguards against political interference.“What safeguards will prevent state police from becoming instruments of political intimidation? What guarantees exist for genuinely independent state legislatures and judiciaries capable of exercising meaningful oversight? Who will regulate recruitment, deployment, discipline and funding?” the statement queried.According to the ADC, these issues are fundamental to ensuring that state police strengthens security rather than becoming vulnerable to abuse.The party further warned against treating state police as a substitute for reforming the Nigeria Police Force, stressing that the federal police would continue to play the leading role in counterterrorism, interstate crime and intelligence coordination.It maintained that effective policing must be supported by reforms in the judiciary, correctional services, prosecution, intelligence gathering and forensic capacity.“The ADC will support measures that genuinely strengthen Nigeria’s security. But we will continue to oppose every attempt to substitute the hard work of building institutions capable of keeping Nigerians safe with mere political theatre,” the statement added.The National Assembly is currently considering constitutional amendments that would allow states to establish their own police services, a proposal that has generated renewed debate amid rising insecurity across the country.While supporters argue that decentralised policing will improve local intelligence and response, critics have continued to express concerns over possible political abuse and the capacity of states to sustain independent police forces. “It is equally important to state that there is nothing novel about the idea of state police.“What is new is the attempt by the Tinubu administration to package this long-standing national consensus as a bold new initiative and, worse, to present it as a silver bullet for the country’s current security crisis. It is neither. State police is a structural reform whose benefits will only be realised over time. It cannot, by itself, solve today’s emergency,” the statement read in part.The party criticised the speed with which the proposed legislation is being processed by the National Assembly, insisting that constitutional amendments of such magnitude require extensive public consultation and stakeholder engagement.“Legislation with such far-reaching implications for every Nigerian, and one that could fundamentally alter the country’s constitutional architecture, requires broad consultation and careful reflection,” it stated.“Instead, what we are seeing is a government in desperate haste to amend the Constitution in order to create the impression that it is doing something about the country’s worsening insecurity.”Related NewsShelve state police till after 2027 election, Obi tells TinubuPolice arrest student over false bandit invasion claim in BayelsaInsecurity: Army to recruit 28,000 more soldiers, opens new training depotThe ADC also questioned the timing of the initiative.“After all, if President Tinubu were genuinely committed to state police, why did it take his administration almost until the end of its tenure to begin rushing through a constitutional amendment?” it asked.The party argued that even if the legislation is eventually passed, establishing functional state police services would require significant investments in recruitment, training, funding, equipment, operational structures and independent oversight, processes that cannot be completed in a short period.It also raised concerns over the absence of clear safeguards against political interference.“What safeguards will prevent state police from becoming instruments of political intimidation? What guarantees exist for genuinely independent state legislatures and judiciaries capable of exercising meaningful oversight? Who will regulate recruitment, deployment, discipline and funding?” the statement queried.According to the ADC, these issues are fundamental to ensuring that state police strengthens security rather than becoming vulnerable to abuse.The party further warned against treating state police as a substitute for reforming the Nigeria Police Force, stressing that the federal police would continue to play the leading role in counterterrorism, interstate crime and intelligence coordination.It maintained that effective policing must be supported by reforms in the judiciary, correctional services, prosecution, intelligence gathering and forensic capacity.“The ADC will support measures that genuinely strengthen Nigeria’s security. But we will continue to oppose every attempt to substitute the hard work of building institutions capable of keeping Nigerians safe with mere political theatre,” the statement added.The National Assembly is currently considering constitutional amendments that would allow states to establish their own police services, a proposal that has generated renewed debate amid rising insecurity across the country.While supporters argue that decentralised policing will improve local intelligence and response, critics have continued to express concerns over possible political abuse and the capacity of states to sustain independent police forces. “What is new is the attempt by the Tinubu administration to package this long-standing national consensus as a bold new initiative and, worse, to present it as a silver bullet for the country’s current security crisis. It is neither. State police is a structural reform whose benefits will only be realised over time. It cannot, by itself, solve today’s emergency,” the statement read in part.The party criticised the speed with which the proposed legislation is being processed by the National Assembly, insisting that constitutional amendments of such magnitude require extensive public consultation and stakeholder engagement.“Legislation with such far-reaching implications for every Nigerian, and one that could fundamentally alter the country’s constitutional architecture, requires broad consultation and careful reflection,” it stated.“Instead, what we are seeing is a government in desperate haste to amend the Constitution in order to create the impression that it is doing something about the country’s worsening insecurity.”Related NewsShelve state police till after 2027 election, Obi tells TinubuPolice arrest student over false bandit invasion claim in BayelsaInsecurity: Army to recruit 28,000 more soldiers, opens new training depotThe ADC also questioned the timing of the initiative.“After all, if President Tinubu were genuinely committed to state police, why did it take his administration almost until the end of its tenure to begin rushing through a constitutional amendment?” it asked.The party argued that even if the legislation is eventually passed, establishing functional state police services would require significant investments in recruitment, training, funding, equipment, operational structures and independent oversight, processes that cannot be completed in a short period.It also raised concerns over the absence of clear safeguards against political interference.“What safeguards will prevent state police from becoming instruments of political intimidation? What guarantees exist for genuinely independent state legislatures and judiciaries capable of exercising meaningful oversight? Who will regulate recruitment, deployment, discipline and funding?” the statement queried.According to the ADC, these issues are fundamental to ensuring that state police strengthens security rather than becoming vulnerable to abuse.The party further warned against treating state police as a substitute for reforming the Nigeria Police Force, stressing that the federal police would continue to play the leading role in counterterrorism, interstate crime and intelligence coordination.It maintained that effective policing must be supported by reforms in the judiciary, correctional services, prosecution, intelligence gathering and forensic capacity.“The ADC will support measures that genuinely strengthen Nigeria’s security. But we will continue to oppose every attempt to substitute the hard work of building institutions capable of keeping Nigerians safe with mere political theatre,” the statement added.The National Assembly is currently considering constitutional amendments that would allow states to establish their own police services, a proposal that has generated renewed debate amid rising insecurity across the country.While supporters argue that decentralised policing will improve local intelligence and response, critics have continued to express concerns over possible political abuse and the capacity of states to sustain independent police forces. The party criticised the speed with which the proposed legislation is being processed by the National Assembly, insisting that constitutional amendments of such magnitude require extensive public consultation and stakeholder engagement.“Legislation with such far-reaching implications for every Nigerian, and one that could fundamentally alter the country’s constitutional architecture, requires broad consultation and careful reflection,” it stated.“Instead, what we are seeing is a government in desperate haste to amend the Constitution in order to create the impression that it is doing something about the country’s worsening insecurity.”Related NewsShelve state police till after 2027 election, Obi tells TinubuPolice arrest student over false bandit invasion claim in BayelsaInsecurity: Army to recruit 28,000 more soldiers, opens new training depotThe ADC also questioned the timing of the initiative.“After all, if President Tinubu were genuinely committed to state police, why did it take his administration almost until the end of its tenure to begin rushing through a constitutional amendment?” it asked.The party argued that even if the legislation is eventually passed, establishing functional state police services would require significant investments in recruitment, training, funding, equipment, operational structures and independent oversight, processes that cannot be completed in a short period.It also raised concerns over the absence of clear safeguards against political interference.“What safeguards will prevent state police from becoming instruments of political intimidation? What guarantees exist for genuinely independent state legislatures and judiciaries capable of exercising meaningful oversight? Who will regulate recruitment, deployment, discipline and funding?” the statement queried.According to the ADC, these issues are fundamental to ensuring that state police strengthens security rather than becoming vulnerable to abuse.The party further warned against treating state police as a substitute for reforming the Nigeria Police Force, stressing that the federal police would continue to play the leading role in counterterrorism, interstate crime and intelligence coordination.It maintained that effective policing must be supported by reforms in the judiciary, correctional services, prosecution, intelligence gathering and forensic capacity.“The ADC will support measures that genuinely strengthen Nigeria’s security. But we will continue to oppose every attempt to substitute the hard work of building institutions capable of keeping Nigerians safe with mere political theatre,” the statement added.The National Assembly is currently considering constitutional amendments that would allow states to establish their own police services, a proposal that has generated renewed debate amid rising insecurity across the country.While supporters argue that decentralised policing will improve local intelligence and response, critics have continued to express concerns over possible political abuse and the capacity of states to sustain independent police forces. “Legislation with such far-reaching implications for every Nigerian, and one that could fundamentally alter the country’s constitutional architecture, requires broad consultation and careful reflection,” it stated.“Instead, what we are seeing is a government in desperate haste to amend the Constitution in order to create the impression that it is doing something about the country’s worsening insecurity.”Related NewsShelve state police till after 2027 election, Obi tells TinubuPolice arrest student over false bandit invasion claim in BayelsaInsecurity: Army to recruit 28,000 more soldiers, opens new training depotThe ADC also questioned the timing of the initiative.“After all, if President Tinubu were genuinely committed to state police, why did it take his administration almost until the end of its tenure to begin rushing through a constitutional amendment?” it asked.The party argued that even if the legislation is eventually passed, establishing functional state police services would require significant investments in recruitment, training, funding, equipment, operational structures and independent oversight, processes that cannot be completed in a short period.It also raised concerns over the absence of clear safeguards against political interference.“What safeguards will prevent state police from becoming instruments of political intimidation? What guarantees exist for genuinely independent state legislatures and judiciaries capable of exercising meaningful oversight? Who will regulate recruitment, deployment, discipline and funding?” the statement queried.According to the ADC, these issues are fundamental to ensuring that state police strengthens security rather than becoming vulnerable to abuse.The party further warned against treating state police as a substitute for reforming the Nigeria Police Force, stressing that the federal police would continue to play the leading role in counterterrorism, interstate crime and intelligence coordination.It maintained that effective policing must be supported by reforms in the judiciary, correctional services, prosecution, intelligence gathering and forensic capacity.“The ADC will support measures that genuinely strengthen Nigeria’s security. But we will continue to oppose every attempt to substitute the hard work of building institutions capable of keeping Nigerians safe with mere political theatre,” the statement added.The National Assembly is currently considering constitutional amendments that would allow states to establish their own police services, a proposal that has generated renewed debate amid rising insecurity across the country.While supporters argue that decentralised policing will improve local intelligence and response, critics have continued to express concerns over possible political abuse and the capacity of states to sustain independent police forces. “Instead, what we are seeing is a government in desperate haste to amend the Constitution in order to create the impression that it is doing something about the country’s worsening insecurity.”Related NewsShelve state police till after 2027 election, Obi tells TinubuPolice arrest student over false bandit invasion claim in BayelsaInsecurity: Army to recruit 28,000 more soldiers, opens new training depotThe ADC also questioned the timing of the initiative.“After all, if President Tinubu were genuinely committed to state police, why did it take his administration almost until the end of its tenure to begin rushing through a constitutional amendment?” it asked.The party argued that even if the legislation is eventually passed, establishing functional state police services would require significant investments in recruitment, training, funding, equipment, operational structures and independent oversight, processes that cannot be completed in a short period.It also raised concerns over the absence of clear safeguards against political interference.“What safeguards will prevent state police from becoming instruments of political intimidation? What guarantees exist for genuinely independent state legislatures and judiciaries capable of exercising meaningful oversight? Who will regulate recruitment, deployment, discipline and funding?” the statement queried.According to the ADC, these issues are fundamental to ensuring that state police strengthens security rather than becoming vulnerable to abuse.The party further warned against treating state police as a substitute for reforming the Nigeria Police Force, stressing that the federal police would continue to play the leading role in counterterrorism, interstate crime and intelligence coordination.It maintained that effective policing must be supported by reforms in the judiciary, correctional services, prosecution, intelligence gathering and forensic capacity.“The ADC will support measures that genuinely strengthen Nigeria’s security. But we will continue to oppose every attempt to substitute the hard work of building institutions capable of keeping Nigerians safe with mere political theatre,” the statement added.The National Assembly is currently considering constitutional amendments that would allow states to establish their own police services, a proposal that has generated renewed debate amid rising insecurity across the country.While supporters argue that decentralised policing will improve local intelligence and response, critics have continued to express concerns over possible political abuse and the capacity of states to sustain independent police forces. The ADC also questioned the timing of the initiative.“After all, if President Tinubu were genuinely committed to state police, why did it take his administration almost until the end of its tenure to begin rushing through a constitutional amendment?” it asked.The party argued that even if the legislation is eventually passed, establishing functional state police services would require significant investments in recruitment, training, funding, equipment, operational structures and independent oversight, processes that cannot be completed in a short period.It also raised concerns over the absence of clear safeguards against political interference.“What safeguards will prevent state police from becoming instruments of political intimidation? What guarantees exist for genuinely independent state legislatures and judiciaries capable of exercising meaningful oversight? Who will regulate recruitment, deployment, discipline and funding?” the statement queried.According to the ADC, these issues are fundamental to ensuring that state police strengthens security rather than becoming vulnerable to abuse.The party further warned against treating state police as a substitute for reforming the Nigeria Police Force, stressing that the federal police would continue to play the leading role in counterterrorism, interstate crime and intelligence coordination.It maintained that effective policing must be supported by reforms in the judiciary, correctional services, prosecution, intelligence gathering and forensic capacity.“The ADC will support measures that genuinely strengthen Nigeria’s security. But we will continue to oppose every attempt to substitute the hard work of building institutions capable of keeping Nigerians safe with mere political theatre,” the statement added.The National Assembly is currently considering constitutional amendments that would allow states to establish their own police services, a proposal that has generated renewed debate amid rising insecurity across the country.While supporters argue that decentralised policing will improve local intelligence and response, critics have continued to express concerns over possible political abuse and the capacity of states to sustain independent police forces. “After all, if President Tinubu were genuinely committed to state police, why did it take his administration almost until the end of its tenure to begin rushing through a constitutional amendment?” it asked.The party argued that even if the legislation is eventually passed, establishing functional state police services would require significant investments in recruitment, training, funding, equipment, operational structures and independent oversight, processes that cannot be completed in a short period.It also raised concerns over the absence of clear safeguards against political interference.“What safeguards will prevent state police from becoming instruments of political intimidation? What guarantees exist for genuinely independent state legislatures and judiciaries capable of exercising meaningful oversight? Who will regulate recruitment, deployment, discipline and funding?” the statement queried.According to the ADC, these issues are fundamental to ensuring that state police strengthens security rather than becoming vulnerable to abuse.The party further warned against treating state police as a substitute for reforming the Nigeria Police Force, stressing that the federal police would continue to play the leading role in counterterrorism, interstate crime and intelligence coordination.It maintained that effective policing must be supported by reforms in the judiciary, correctional services, prosecution, intelligence gathering and forensic capacity.“The ADC will support measures that genuinely strengthen Nigeria’s security. But we will continue to oppose every attempt to substitute the hard work of building institutions capable of keeping Nigerians safe with mere political theatre,” the statement added.The National Assembly is currently considering constitutional amendments that would allow states to establish their own police services, a proposal that has generated renewed debate amid rising insecurity across the country.While supporters argue that decentralised policing will improve local intelligence and response, critics have continued to express concerns over possible political abuse and the capacity of states to sustain independent police forces. The party argued that even if the legislation is eventually passed, establishing functional state police services would require significant investments in recruitment, training, funding, equipment, operational structures and independent oversight, processes that cannot be completed in a short period.It also raised concerns over the absence of clear safeguards against political interference.“What safeguards will prevent state police from becoming instruments of political intimidation? What guarantees exist for genuinely independent state legislatures and judiciaries capable of exercising meaningful oversight? Who will regulate recruitment, deployment, discipline and funding?” the statement queried.According to the ADC, these issues are fundamental to ensuring that state police strengthens security rather than becoming vulnerable to abuse.The party further warned against treating state police as a substitute for reforming the Nigeria Police Force, stressing that the federal police would continue to play the leading role in counterterrorism, interstate crime and intelligence coordination.It maintained that effective policing must be supported by reforms in the judiciary, correctional services, prosecution, intelligence gathering and forensic capacity.“The ADC will support measures that genuinely strengthen Nigeria’s security. But we will continue to oppose every attempt to substitute the hard work of building institutions capable of keeping Nigerians safe with mere political theatre,” the statement added.The National Assembly is currently considering constitutional amendments that would allow states to establish their own police services, a proposal that has generated renewed debate amid rising insecurity across the country.While supporters argue that decentralised policing will improve local intelligence and response, critics have continued to express concerns over possible political abuse and the capacity of states to sustain independent police forces. It also raised concerns over the absence of clear safeguards against political interference.“What safeguards will prevent state police from becoming instruments of political intimidation? What guarantees exist for genuinely independent state legislatures and judiciaries capable of exercising meaningful oversight? Who will regulate recruitment, deployment, discipline and funding?” the statement queried.According to the ADC, these issues are fundamental to ensuring that state police strengthens security rather than becoming vulnerable to abuse.The party further warned against treating state police as a substitute for reforming the Nigeria Police Force, stressing that the federal police would continue to play the leading role in counterterrorism, interstate crime and intelligence coordination.It maintained that effective policing must be supported by reforms in the judiciary, correctional services, prosecution, intelligence gathering and forensic capacity.“The ADC will support measures that genuinely strengthen Nigeria’s security. But we will continue to oppose every attempt to substitute the hard work of building institutions capable of keeping Nigerians safe with mere political theatre,” the statement added.The National Assembly is currently considering constitutional amendments that would allow states to establish their own police services, a proposal that has generated renewed debate amid rising insecurity across the country.While supporters argue that decentralised policing will improve local intelligence and response, critics have continued to express concerns over possible political abuse and the capacity of states to sustain independent police forces. “What safeguards will prevent state police from becoming instruments of political intimidation? What guarantees exist for genuinely independent state legislatures and judiciaries capable of exercising meaningful oversight? Who will regulate recruitment, deployment, discipline and funding?” the statement queried.According to the ADC, these issues are fundamental to ensuring that state police strengthens security rather than becoming vulnerable to abuse.The party further warned against treating state police as a substitute for reforming the Nigeria Police Force, stressing that the federal police would continue to play the leading role in counterterrorism, interstate crime and intelligence coordination.It maintained that effective policing must be supported by reforms in the judiciary, correctional services, prosecution, intelligence gathering and forensic capacity.“The ADC will support measures that genuinely strengthen Nigeria’s security. But we will continue to oppose every attempt to substitute the hard work of building institutions capable of keeping Nigerians safe with mere political theatre,” the statement added.The National Assembly is currently considering constitutional amendments that would allow states to establish their own police services, a proposal that has generated renewed debate amid rising insecurity across the country.While supporters argue that decentralised policing will improve local intelligence and response, critics have continued to express concerns over possible political abuse and the capacity of states to sustain independent police forces. According to the ADC, these issues are fundamental to ensuring that state police strengthens security rather than becoming vulnerable to abuse.The party further warned against treating state police as a substitute for reforming the Nigeria Police Force, stressing that the federal police would continue to play the leading role in counterterrorism, interstate crime and intelligence coordination.It maintained that effective policing must be supported by reforms in the judiciary, correctional services, prosecution, intelligence gathering and forensic capacity.“The ADC will support measures that genuinely strengthen Nigeria’s security. But we will continue to oppose every attempt to substitute the hard work of building institutions capable of keeping Nigerians safe with mere political theatre,” the statement added.The National Assembly is currently considering constitutional amendments that would allow states to establish their own police services, a proposal that has generated renewed debate amid rising insecurity across the country.While supporters argue that decentralised policing will improve local intelligence and response, critics have continued to express concerns over possible political abuse and the capacity of states to sustain independent police forces. The party further warned against treating state police as a substitute for reforming the Nigeria Police Force, stressing that the federal police would continue to play the leading role in counterterrorism, interstate crime and intelligence coordination.It maintained that effective policing must be supported by reforms in the judiciary, correctional services, prosecution, intelligence gathering and forensic capacity.“The ADC will support measures that genuinely strengthen Nigeria’s security. But we will continue to oppose every attempt to substitute the hard work of building institutions capable of keeping Nigerians safe with mere political theatre,” the statement added.The National Assembly is currently considering constitutional amendments that would allow states to establish their own police services, a proposal that has generated renewed debate amid rising insecurity across the country.While supporters argue that decentralised policing will improve local intelligence and response, critics have continued to express concerns over possible political abuse and the capacity of states to sustain independent police forces. It maintained that effective policing must be supported by reforms in the judiciary, correctional services, prosecution, intelligence gathering and forensic capacity.“The ADC will support measures that genuinely strengthen Nigeria’s security. But we will continue to oppose every attempt to substitute the hard work of building institutions capable of keeping Nigerians safe with mere political theatre,” the statement added.The National Assembly is currently considering constitutional amendments that would allow states to establish their own police services, a proposal that has generated renewed debate amid rising insecurity across the country.While supporters argue that decentralised policing will improve local intelligence and response, critics have continued to express concerns over possible political abuse and the capacity of states to sustain independent police forces. “The ADC will support measures that genuinely strengthen Nigeria’s security. But we will continue to oppose every attempt to substitute the hard work of building institutions capable of keeping Nigerians safe with mere political theatre,” the statement added.The National Assembly is currently considering constitutional amendments that would allow states to establish their own police services, a proposal that has generated renewed debate amid rising insecurity across the country.While supporters argue that decentralised policing will improve local intelligence and response, critics have continued to express concerns over possible political abuse and the capacity of states to sustain independent police forces. The National Assembly is currently considering constitutional amendments that would allow states to establish their own police services, a proposal that has generated renewed debate amid rising insecurity across the country.While supporters argue that decentralised policing will improve local intelligence and response, critics have continued to express concerns over possible political abuse and the capacity of states to sustain independent police forces. While supporters argue that decentralised policing will improve local intelligence and response, critics have continued to express concerns over possible political abuse and the capacity of states to sustain independent police forces.