Former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has expressed concerns that state governors might exploit state police forces to target opposition parties and manipulate electoral processes. He further cautioned that state governors could potentially employ state police to intimidate non-native residents and to confront federal law enforcement as needed.
In a post on X, Sani suggested that if state police were to be implemented, there is a risk of incorporating thugs associated with the ruling party into these forces.
The socio-political commentator elaborated, stating, “State police will likely become tools in the hands of governors for persecuting opposition figures, intimidating non-indigenous residents, manipulating elections, and challenging federal law enforcement in situations of conflicting interests between the federal government and state authorities. Additionally, many of the ruling party’s loyalists may find their way into the state police.”
Sani’s remarks come amidst reports indicating discussions between President Bola Tinubu and state governors regarding the potential introduction of state police as a measure to address the nation’s security concerns. These discussions reportedly took place during a recent meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.