PRP opposes state police, says Tinubu administration lacks credibility

The Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, has rejected the proposed establishment of state police, arguing that the administration of President Bola Tinubu lacks the credibility and public trust required to undertake such a far-reaching constitutional reform.

In a statement issued on Thursday by its National Chairman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the party expressed concern over the proposal, describing it as suspicious and urging Nigerians to oppose the move.

“The Peoples Redemption Party is deeply concerned over plans by President Tinubu’s administration to procure State Police through constitutional amendment at a time when its credibility and competence are at an unprecedented low level in our democratic history,” Mr Baba-Ahmed said.

The PRP acknowledged the need for comprehensive reforms of Nigeria’s security architecture but maintained that the current administration lacks the moral authority to oversee such a significant restructuring of the country’s policing system.

“Going by precedent and record, this administration will almost certainly secure what is needed to amend the Constitution and actualise its desire to establish State Police.

“While Nigeria needs a major review and overhaul of its security, law and order institutions to address national security and create an environment that should raise citizens’ confidence and faith in leaders and critical institutions, this administration lacks the moral assets and the trust of Nigerians to undertake a major shift in the policing structure of the country,” he said.

According to Mr Baba-Ahmed, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has failed to effectively manage the nation’s security institutions, making its push for state police questionable.

“The APC administration has failed to manage our security structure and institutions. Its plan to engineer the emergence of State Police is suspicious and it should be rejected,” he added.

The PRP further argued that the issue of state police should be deferred until after the next general election, insisting that such a fundamental reform should only be undertaken by a government that enjoys broad public confidence and a credible electoral mandate.

“The PRP advises that the forthcoming election should be a threshold which should be crossed with credibility and popular acclaim before the nation decides on important issues such as state police structures.

“It further advises the current administration to make more efforts towards securing citizens and bringing an end to the nightmare under which we all live,” Mr Baba-Ahmed said.