The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has thrown its weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s renewed push for the creation of state police as a measure to address worsening insecurity in the country.
Isma’ila Uba Misilli, spokesperson to the NSGF chairman and Gombe State governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, disclosed this on Thursday, stressing that the governors had already taken a united stand.
“Regarding state police creation, as far as Northern governors are concerned, they have already made their position known when they met with the traditional leaders in Kaduna,” Misilli said.
National Assembly pressed to act fast
According to Misilli, the 19 northern governors had unanimously endorsed the proposal during their meeting and urged the National Assembly to make the necessary laws for its establishment.
“They unanimously adopted it and asked the National Assembly to expedite action. So now it’s not within their own mandate, but it is with the National Assembly to provide a law for its establishment. The forum is fully in support of the creation of the state police,” he added.
Their position comes amid mounting pressure from stakeholders across the North who say insecurity has reached alarming levels.
Elders demand urgent action
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) had earlier lamented that the North had been pushed to the wall and must defend itself, while the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) urged Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on security.
Similarly, governors from the six North-East states who met Tinubu earlier in the week called for urgent and decisive steps to address the deteriorating security situation in their region.
Observers say the northern governors’ alignment with Tinubu highlights deep concern over banditry, insurgency, and communal violence ravaging communities.
ACF, Shehu Sani raise concerns
While supporting reforms, the ACF cautioned that constitutional processes must be followed and warned that state police should not be misused by governors against critics.
“The issue of state police has been on for a long time now, but what are the modalities put in place to create state police? What about the funding? Do you see how some states have issues with salary payments to civil servants? … Some people have expressed concerns that state police will be used by the governors against political opponents and critics,” said ACF spokesman Prof. T. A. Muhammad-Baba.
Former Kaduna senator, Shehu Sani, also warned of potential fallout. Writing on Facebook, he said:
“Those of you wishing and clamouring for the State Police … I wish you well for what you have been wishing for yourselves. When the President finally approves the State Police, you will know the difference between the Federal and the State Police. Enjoy the buffet.”
Middle Belt and Afenifere give backing
Contrary to skeptics, the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) welcomed the plan, describing it as long overdue.
Its national president, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, recalled that before military intervention, Nigeria operated a dual policing system of Native Authority (Yan Doka) and the Nigerian Police (Yan Sanda), which worked effectively.
“We ended up messing ourselves up by bringing in the military to do the job of policemen. We need to go back to the drawing board to do what is necessary,” Pogu said.
On its part, Afenifere urged Tinubu to remove whatever is delaying the creation of state police, describing the president’s commitment as commendable. National Publicity Secretary Jare Ajayi insisted that the idea must take off before the end of 2025.
