Nigeria TV Info 

State Police Push Could Push Nigeria to the Brink — Columnist Olu Fasan Warns

In a fiery column published today, political analyst Olu Fasan criticised President Bola Tinubu’s aggressive push to establish state police in Nigeria, saying it may precipitate “a disaster” if pursued without sober analysis and caution.

Fasan argues that Tinubu’s recent removal of Inspector‑General of Police Kayode Egbetokun — reportedly for opposing state police — in favour of Tunji Disu, who has openly backed the proposal, evidences a politicised security policy. Disu formed a panel to develop a state police framework soon after his appointment.

According to the columnist, Tinubu’s relentless focus on achieving state police as part of his presidential legacy risks sidelining deep constitutional and operational questions. With the All Progressives Congress controlling the National Assembly and the vast majority of governors aligned with the party, Fasan warns the plan may advance without proper debate.

Fasan says critics worry state police could be weaponised by governors for political ends, leading to abuse, human rights violations and further federal‑state tension. The 1999 Constitution currently limits policing to a single national force — a point that supports caution against decentralisation without wide consensus and adequate safeguards.

While some argue decentralised policing could improve local security, Fasan suggests regional police forces — organised across geopolitical zones rather than 36 individual state agencies — would be more effective and less prone to misuse.

As the debate intensifies, stakeholders from civil society, political parties and security experts are expected to weigh in on how best to balance Nigeria’s acute security needs with institutional integrity and national unity.