President Muhammadu Buhari has once again insisted that the creation of state police in the country is not an option. The President expressed fear that it could be abused by State Governors and most states would be unable to fund it. He made this known during an interview with Channels TV, amidst increased calls for state police, especially after an Assistant Superintendent of Police publicly defied the directive of the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu regarding the recent Magodo land dispute.
President Buhari said, “State police is not an option. Find out the relationship between local government and the Governors. Are the third tier of government getting what they are supposed to get constitutionally? Are they getting it? Let the people in local government tell you the truth, the fight is between local governments and the Governor.”
He also said, “The role of traditional rulers must not be undermined, because in their areas they know who is who, even by families, not to even talk of individuals.”
The President had previously expressed his reservation about the creation of state police since 2018.
In an interview in May 2018, President Buhari said, “I want the Nigerian Constitution to be consulted first and see what it says. If it says they should be allowed, then they should be allowed.
“But don’t forget, how many times did we have to release money to states in the name of bailouts to enable them pay salaries? How many states are able to pay their workers in time? And you add the police to them?
“You cannot just give someone guns and ammunition, train him, and refuse to pay him; you know what will eventually happen.”
