AFTER decades of indecision, Nigeria finally appears ready to embrace state police.
Despite its potential to advance true federalism and its obvious advantage as a more responsive security arrangement in a volatile, multi-ethnic environment like Nigeria, successive administrations have repeatedly dithered over this crucial reform.
Against this background, President Bola Tinubu’s proposal for a decentralised policing system is welcome. It is, in many respects, a child of necessity.
Opponents of state police focus heavily on one legitimate concern: the possibility of abuse by state governors. Without stringent safeguards, that fear is justified.
But it also conveniently sidesteps an uncomfortable reality: the Federal Government has grossly abused the Nigeria Police throughout its history. That record substantially weakens the argument against decentralisation.
