Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has assured that state governors will not misuse the proposed state police system if the enabling legislation is carefully crafted to prevent political interference and abuse.
Speaking during an interview on TVC following a meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council, Sani said appropriate legal safeguards can ensure the policing structure remains focused solely on addressing criminal activity.
The northern leaders had jointly called on the national assembly to expedite the passage of the bill that seeks to amend the 1999 constitution by moving the term “police” from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list, allowing states to establish their own police forces. The proposal has drawn mixed reactions, with critics expressing concerns that governors could exploit state police for political gain and to suppress opposition voices. Supporters argue that a decentralised policing system will enhance security and reduce reliance on the federal government.
Addressing the concerns about potential abuse and funding during the interview, Governor Sani said the success of the initiative lies in how the legislation is drafted. “There cannot be any abuse if this law is crafted in such a way that won’t allow governors to abuse it,” he said. “The crafters of that bill can make it clear that the only focus should be on criminalities not on political issues. Let’s relegate the issue of politics and address insecurity.”
Sani stressed that security is a prerequisite for development, warning that without peace and safety, state governments will struggle to improve healthcare, education, and infrastructure. “The issue of security is very important when we are talking about healthcare, education, and infrastructure. They cannot be possible when there is insecurity. Don’t talk about naira and kobo when we are talking about saving the lives of our people. Let’s leave the issues of funding. We must fund it,” he said.
He added that in some states, persistent security challenges have already hindered infrastructure development, underscoring the urgent need for a more responsive and locally driven security framework.
