Southern, Middle Belt Leaders Back State Police, Say Governors Must Control CPs
By Victor Idajil
Leaders of the Southern and Middle Belt regions have thrown their weight behind the proposed state police, but with one major condition: governors must have full powers to appoint and remove state Commissioners of Police.
The demand was made on Tuesday by the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, SMBLF, during a meeting of stakeholders and elder statesmen at PANDEF’s liaison office in Abuja.
The forum brings together major socio-cultural groups including Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, PANDEF, and the Middle Belt Forum.
Reading the communiqué, SMBLF Chairman and Afenifere factional leader Chief Oladipo Olaitan said the group has long supported state policing, but not in its current proposed form.
“SMBLF welcomes state police, of which we have been advocates over the years, but insists that state police should reflect true federalism and not a Federal State Police system,” he said.
“To that end, state governors shall have the same power to appoint or remove a Commissioner of Police as the President in relation to the Inspector-General of Police.”
The leaders argued that anything less would just create another version of federal police at state level, instead of a truly decentralised system.
The forum renewed its call for a new constitution that devolves more powers to states and reflects Nigeria’s federal character. They vowed to mobilise for a presidential candidate in 2027 who will deliver that.
SMBLF also reaffirmed its position that the presidency should remain in the South after President Bola Tinubu’s first term, saying it is needed for national stability and cohesion.
The leaders condemned what they called the hijack of party primaries by a few individuals. “The essence of democracy is free choice by the people,” Olaitan said, adding that Nigeria must also allow independent candidacy.
On security, the forum commended the military for recent gains in Oyo, Zamfara and Borno, but urged the Federal Government to do more in Middle Belt states like Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, Kwara and Kogi. They also called for stronger collaboration with neighbours and international partners.
The position comes as the National Assembly considers constitutional amendments to establish state police. While supporters say local policing will improve intelligence and response times, critics fear governors could misuse it.
Attendees at the meeting included former Akwa Ibom Governor Victor Attah, former Enugu Governor Okwesilieze Nwodo, PANDEF National Chairman Dr Godknows Igali, and Middle Belt Forum President Dr Bitrus Pogu.
