*Obi warns against rushed legislation, wants law after 2027 elections
*CUPP calls for caution
Chuks Okocha, Alex Enumah, Sunday Aborishade in Abuja and Sunday Ehigiator in Lagos
As clamour for the establishment of State Police gains traction, some senior lawyers in the country have declared support for the initiative which they argued was necessitated by the worsening security conditions in the country, though with a caveat.This is as civil society organisations (CSOs) expressed fears of its being hijacked, misapplied or abused by governors and therefore asked for constitutional safeguards against its possible abuse.While agreeing to the need for the establishment of state police, former Presidential candidate of Labour party and standard bearer of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi called for its coming into effect after the 2027 elections as rushed legislations had inherent flaws.
Also lending their voice to the current debate of the matter, the Conference of United Political Parties (CUPP) said passage of the State Police bill was desirous, but should be handled with caution.The senior lawyers who ventured their opinions on the issue think that for the initiative to succeed, certain constitutional and statutory safeguards must be put in place by appropriate authorities.
