Buba Galadima, a chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has cautioned against the proposed creation of state police, arguing that it would neither resolve Nigeria’s security challenges nor strengthen the country’s democratic system.
According to the Nigerian Tribune, Galadima made the remarks during an appearance on the ARISE News Morning Show on Tuesday while discussing the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, which has been transmitted to the 36 state Houses of Assembly for consideration.
He argued that creating another policing structure would not automatically improve security and warned that state-controlled police could be exploited for political purposes, particularly during election periods.
Recalling the defunct Native Authority Police, Galadima claimed the force was often used against political opponents.
“I was old enough to witness what happened during the Native Authority Police era. When elections approached, three months before the election, the Native Authority Police would gather all the opposition elements within their territorial jurisdiction and lock them up,” he said.
Galadima maintained that any move to establish state police should include strong constitutional safeguards to prevent political interference and protect democratic competition.
