Opposition’s focus on timing of state police rather than insecurity raises questions – Rep Gagdi

By Ayox Ojo

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Navy, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, has questioned the opposition’s criticism of the proposed creation of state police, saying their concern over its timing rather than its potential to address insecurity was difficult to understand.

Speaking Tuesday on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Gagdi specifically faulted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi for allegedly linking the initiative to the 2027 elections.

He argued that with insecurity worsening across the country, political leaders should prioritise measures capable of protecting lives instead of questioning when such reforms were introduced.

“Who is talking about the creation of state policing? Who in his right sense will only analyse the creation of State Police to 2027 election only?” he asked.

“If those people that you called their names are patriotic Nigerians, is it time that is their problem, or the killings?”

Gagdi said the current constitutional framework before the National Assembly was significantly different from earlier proposals he had opposed.

“I saw the policy framework of the state policing that was intended to be created then as an anarchy. But I am privileged to work on the present legal framework that seeks to establish the new State policing under the new Section 214 of the Constitution.”

According to him, the proposed arrangement introduces safeguards against political abuse by governors.

“If prior to this time you wanted me to support state policing where governors would simply sit in their offices and appoint commissioners of police, I would not support it.

“But today, the legal framework says governors will nominate candidates to the Federal Police Council, which will determine who is fit.”

He added that governors would no longer possess arbitrary powers to remove state police commissioners.

“The clauses protect the proposed commissioners of police. No governor will sit within the comfort of his office and fire the commissioner of police.”

“It means you have protected the person you are appointing.”

Gagdi said the transparent appointment process would reduce politicisation while strengthening accountability.

“You have equally made the appointment so transparent that it will not be politicised.”

He explained that the establishment of state police would complement rather than replace the Nigeria Police Force.

“We didn’t scrap the federal police. It still exists. The establishment of state policing doesn’t mean the federal police is going to be scrapped.”

According to him, state police would significantly expand Nigeria’s security architecture.

“Now you have regional police. It increases the number of security agencies. It also instigates commitment from the regional governments to make serious investment in the security architecture of this country.”

He described criticism of the initiative’s timing as misplaced.

“With the level of escalation of insecurity in Nigeria, everybody admits there is a problem.

“Now, with the effort to create State Police with a proper legal framework, why are the opposition complaining?

“Why is Atiku and Peter Obi concerned about the timing of creating a security outfit that will help in protecting the lives and property of Nigerians?”