Elumelu backs state police, demands strong safeguards against abuse

The Minority Leader of the 9th House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu, has thrown his weight behind the debate on the establishment of state police, saying a decentralised policing system could improve community security and strengthen Nigeria’s federal structure.

Elumelu made the submission in his goodwill message at the 2nd Annual House of Representatives Press Corps Distinguished Parliamentary Lecture held in Abuja on Tuesday.

The lecture, with the theme, “The Imperative for State Police: Securing Communities, Strengthening Federalism,” brought together legislators, journalists, academics, civil society actors, security professionals and other stakeholders to examine Nigeria’s policing architecture and the broader implications of state police.

The former Minority Leader said the debate had become particularly important against the backdrop of persistent concerns over national security, community safety and the effectiveness of existing policing arrangements.

According to him, policing should not be viewed solely as a security matter but also as an issue of governance, constitutional responsibility and the relationship among the different tiers of government.

He said citizens across the country expected security agencies to understand the peculiar circumstances of their communities and respond promptly to threats to lives and property.

“This naturally raises the question of whether our current policing architecture provides sufficient room for local responsiveness while maintaining national standards, professionalism and cohesion,” he said.

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Elumelu, however, cautioned that the establishment of state police must be approached with “seriousness, openness and an unwavering commitment to the national interest.”

He stressed that any framework for state policing must contain adequate safeguards against political interference, abuse of power and violations of citizens’ rights.

He identified professionalism, accountability, respect for human rights and effective oversight as critical components of any sustainable state policing arrangement.

According to him, state police must also be supported with adequate training, welfare, equipment and funding, noting that policing reforms would only succeed if personnel were properly equipped and held to clearly defined professional standards.

The former House Minority Leader linked the debate on state police to the broader question of federalism, arguing that a functional federal system must balance national unity with the ability of federating units to respond effectively to the realities of their people.

“Federalism, at its best, is about achieving an effective balance between national unity and the capacity of federating units to respond meaningfully to the realities and aspirations of their people,” he said.

He called for continuous dialogue, constitutional reflection and institutional reforms to strengthen that balance.

Elumelu also highlighted the role of the media in the debate, describing the parliamentary press corps as an important pillar in promoting informed public discourse and democratic accountability.

He urged journalists to provide accurate information, facilitate constructive debate and hold public institutions accountable as discussions on the future of policing and federalism continue.

He commended the House of Representatives Press Corps for organising the second edition of the Distinguished Parliamentary Lecture, expressing confidence that the event would enrich the national conversation and provide useful perspectives to policymakers and other stakeholders.

The lecture was held as Nigeria continues to grapple with questions surrounding the effectiveness of its policing architecture and the need for reforms capable of bringing security closer to communities while preserving national cohesion.