Jonathan Advocates for State Police as Non-Negotiable in Nigeria

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has voiced his support for the establishment of state police in Nigeria, describing it as a non-negotiable necessity for the country.

During a dialogue on state police organized by the House of Representatives on April 22, 2024, Jonathan emphasized the importance of preventing the abuse of state police by governors, while acknowledging that the challenges associated with this issue are not sufficient to halt the creation of state police.

Jonathan’s stance comes in the wake of increasing insecurity in Nigeria, including a reported N5 billion in ransom payments to kidnappers.

The former president argued that state police is the only way to effectively combat kidnapping and other forms of insecurity, citing widespread acceptance of the concept among delegates at the 2014 National Conference.

The dialogue on state police has sparked a debate within the country, with opinions divided on the matter.

While Jonathan supports the establishment of state police, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has expressed opposition to the idea.

Deputy Speaker of the House, Ben Kalu, also weighed in on the issue, stating that the current security situation in Nigeria requires a multi-layered approach to address the growing threat of insecurity.

As the conversation on state police continues, it is clear that there are differing perspectives on the best way to tackle Nigeria’s security challenges.

It remains to be seen whether the country will move forward with the establishment of state police forces, and if so, how the potential for abuse by governors will be addressed.

In the meantime, the dialogue on state police serves as a platform for stakeholders to discuss the merits and challenges of such a system, with the ultimate goal of enhancing security and protecting the lives and livelihoods of Nigerian citizens.