Human rights lawyer and activist, Chidi Odinkalu, has cautioned against granting governors control over state police ahead of elections, warning that such a move could undermine democracy and trigger widespread abuse of power.
Odinkalu raised the concern while commenting on the ongoing debate over the creation of state police, arguing that implementing the reform without adequate safeguards could pose serious risks to Nigeria’s electoral process.
“We want to give governors the power of state policing in an election season, and we’re not allowed to ask why that should be so,” he said.
The former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission questioned the timing of the proposed reform, insisting that the country should first address the legal and institutional frameworks needed to ensure accountability and prevent political interference.
According to him, establishing state police without clear transitional arrangements and independent oversight would create fresh challenges for the country’s justice system.
“We are creating state police with no transitional arrangements, yet we’re told these are minor issues,” he said.
Odinkalu further warned against expanding the role of state courts in matters relating to the proposed policing structure without sufficient constitutional safeguards.
“The invitation to state courts is an invitation to anarchy,” he stated.
His remarks come amid renewed national conversations on state policing, with supporters arguing that decentralising the police would improve security and allow faster responses to local threats, while critics fear it could be exploited by state governments to intimidate political opponents and influence elections.
The debate over state police has intensified as stakeholders continue to weigh its potential benefits against concerns over accountability, political neutrality and the protection of citizens’ rights.