Yusuf Gagdi, a member of the House of Representatives, has said that Governors cannot be trusted with state police, citing their track record with state independent electoral commissions (SIECs).
Gatekeepers News reports that the National Assembly is currently reviewing the 1999 Constitution, with the creation of state police among the key proposals.
Speaking on the matter, Gagdi, who represents the Pankshin/Kanam/Kanke federal constituency of Plateau State, said SIECs have consistently shut out opposition parties during local government elections.
He said, “No matter the circumstances, INEC has conducted elections where opposition governors emerged. But tell me one state where the SIEC allowed opposition parties to win even two percent of council seats. Not one whether APC or PDP.”
Gagdi questioned how governors who allegedly manipulate local elections could be trusted to control armed security forces.
He asked, “If they cannot manage state electoral commissions fairly, how will you trust them with AK-47s? Give them civil power and they abuse it. What happens if you hand them military power?”
Instead of creating state police, Gagdi called for strengthening community policing, which is already recognised under the Police Act.
According to him, the law empowers communities to nominate representatives for policing structures at local, state, and federal levels, with traditional rulers and police commissioners overseeing operations.
According to the lawmaker; enhancing community policing would empower citizens to secure their environments without risking abuse of power by Governors.
He added, “With federal and community policing working together, people will have less incentive to break the law.”
