By Joni Akpederi
After over 66 years of political independence, Nigeria's National Assembly is on the
verge of decentralising the Nigeria Police Force, a legacy of colonial times. Both
houses of the legislative arm of government voted to allow the creation of state police,
in the wake of incessant security challenges traumatising citizens and communities
nationwide.
The urgency of the move was dictated by the latest daredevil attack on a sleepy town in
Southwest Nigerian State of Oyo. The terrorist-invaders abducted scores of staff and
school children in local schools, and went on to publish the gruesome decapitation of a
teacher to pressure government to accede to various demands, including the release
of unconditional release from jail, of captured members of their murderous, Islamist-
Jihadist terror gang.
Expectedly, responses from the general populace at large varied. The ruling APC,
through many of its spokespersons, hailed it as a “ historic milestone” and “legislative
victory”.
Speaker Haruna Dangyatin of Jigawa State House of Assembly, probably gave the
soundest justification. He welcomed a community-focused policing that would take
advantage of local agents knowledge of terrains and cultures for quick investigations
and resolutions of cases. His fellow party-men are pleased that the debate over
decentralisation, started in 1999, at the return to civilian democratic rule, is finally
being laid rest.
That sentiment hasn’t been shared by other political parties. African Democratic
Congress’ chieftains have waved the timing of the Assembly vote as politically-driven.
It’s Presidential Flag nearer, Abubakar Atiku, says it is all sinisterly hurried-up. He
believes the vote should be preceded by more reforms including judicial autonomy,
better police funding, recruitment, training and oversight.
The National Democratic Congress’s Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, like the
Peoples Redemption Party’s Chair, Hakeem Baba Ahmed, wants the entire policy
shelved until after the 2027 general elections are conducted and settled. They
contend that the policy would unduly impingement the outcome of the polls. As the
Conference of United Political Parties warns, a quick adoption of the policy may
encourage incumbent office holders to “weaponise” the new police structures against
political opponents in the elections.
Reactions and opinions of ordinary citizens across the country are equally variegated.
Even so, all Nigerians are under ni illusion that the time for making bold changes in
the polity is at hand as insecurity in the country makes ordinary living a frightening
experience.
Whatever happens going forward, what remains for the bill to become law and receive
Presidential assent, is the nod from at least two-thirds (24) of the 36 states Houses of
Assembly across the federation. Then Nigeria and Nigerians can know that they have
started on a course that leads to the true restructuring virtually every bona fide citizen
believes will ultimately herald a Federal Republic worthy of its name.