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By Salisu Sani-Idris | Expert Analysis
In a significant declaration of domestic policy direction, President Bola Tinubu has revealed that he has personally assured the United States and key European partners of his administration’s commitment to implementing state police as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s security architecture. This announcement, made during the 14th National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, signals a potential paradigm shift in how security is managed across the federation.
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The State Police Imperative: Beyond Assurances
President Tinubu’s statement goes beyond mere political rhetoric; it represents a direct response to one of Nigeria’s most persistent and complex challenges. The current centralized police force, the Nigeria Police Force, has long been criticized as overstretched and ineffective in addressing localized security threats like banditry, kidnapping, and communal clashes. A state police system would theoretically allow for:
- Localized Intelligence & Response: Officers recruited from and familiar with their specific state’s terrain, culture, and language could gather intelligence and respond more swiftly than a federal unit deployed from outside.
- Accountability to Local Governance: Governors and State Houses of Assembly would have direct oversight, potentially making the force more responsive to local needs.
- Complementing Federal Forces: The model envisions state police handling civil and local crimes, freeing up the federal police and military to focus on cross-state and international threats like terrorism.
However, the president’s confidence, as stated—“They asked me if I’m confident and I said yes, I have a party to depend on”—highlights the political hurdle. Implementing state police requires a constitutional amendment, which needs a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly and approval by two-thirds of State Houses of Assembly. His comment underscores that success hinges on robust party cohesion and legislative maneuvering.
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Grassroots Governance: The Supreme Court Ruling as a Catalyst
In a strategically linked argument, President Tinubu pivoted to the recent landmark Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments. He framed this not just as a legal victory but as a governance tool essential for national stability.
“There is no autonomy without a funded mandate; give them their money directly,” he insisted, pointing to a chronic failure in Nigeria’s federal structure. For decades, state governments have been accused of siphoning or delaying allocations meant for the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs), crippling their ability to provide basic services.
Tinubu’s directive is profound: direct funding of LGAs could:
- Revive Grassroots Development: Empower LGAs to independently undertake projects in primary healthcare, sanitation, and feeder roads.
- Strengthen the Political Base: Effective LGAs can increase citizen trust in governance, which the APC hopes to harness.
- Create a Foundation for State Police: A functional local government structure could provide the administrative framework needed to support a decentralized security apparatus.
He challenged party leaders: “Look at the recent Supreme Court judgment, what can we do with it, and how well can we position our country and our party?” This connects legal compliance with political strategy.
Party Cohesion and the Road to 2027
The meeting also served as a stage for reinforcing party unity and projecting strength. Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s detailed geopolitical analysis was a masterclass in political confidence. By enumerating APC’s dominance across zones—“the whole of the South-South region is in the APC fold…”—he was performing a dual function: reassuring members and sending a message to opponents.
His warning, “Rome was not destroyed by outside invaders, Rome was destroyed by the complacency of the Romans,” was a critical internal memo. Success, he argued, is harder to maintain than to achieve, emphasizing that internal discipline and careful management of party democracy are non-negotiable for sustained dominance beyond 2027.
President Tinubu complemented this by stressing the need for flexibility, tolerance, and the serious inclusion of women in party leadership. These are not just progressive values but practical strategies to broaden the party’s appeal and talent pool.
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Conclusion: A Strategic Nexus
President Tinubu’s address wove together three critical strands: security reform (state police), governance restructuring (LGA autonomy), and political consolidation (party unity). The underlying message is that these are interdependent. A secure nation requires effective local governance, and achieving both demands a cohesive, dominant political force to see through difficult constitutional and institutional changes.
By informing international partners of his intent, Tinubu is also signaling Nigeria’s commitment to a modern, decentralized governance model. The coming months will reveal whether the confidence expressed to both foreign allies and the party caucus can be translated into actionable legislation and tangible results for the Nigerian people.
Edited by Mufutau Ojo | Enhanced Analysis & Context by Expert Editor
(Source: NAN)
