State Police: Nigeria’s Perpetual Postponement Problem
The recent deferral of state police discussions at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting for the third consecutive time exemplifies a troubling pattern in Nigeria’s approach to critical national security reforms. This continuous postponement reveals more about our governance challenges than any official statement could admit.
The Excuse of “Time Constraints”
Let’s begin with the obvious question: How does a matter of such national urgency repeatedly fall victim to “time constraints”? When Governor Douye Diri explains that “lengthy presentations” prevented discussion of state police, we must ask what these presentations covered that was deemed more important than addressing the fundamental security architecture of the nation.
This particular meeting included the Rivers State sole administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas an appointment itself born from security concerns yet couldn’t find time to address the very security framework that might prevent similar interventions in the future. The irony shouldn’t be lost on anyone.
Three Postponements in Six Months
The consistent postponement pattern is revealing:
- November 2024: Initial discussion deferred to January 2025
- January 2025: Discussion delayed due to “emergency summit”
- April 2025: Discussion deferred again due to “time constraints”
When a critical policy reform gets repeatedly moved to the bottom of the agenda over such an extended period, it suggests either a lack of genuine political will or deeper disagreements that officials are reluctant to acknowledge publicly.
The Disconnect Between Words and Action
The contrast between stated commitments and actual progress is stark. In November 2024, we’re told that all 36 states submitted their positions on state police, with “most reportedly supporting the proposal.” Yet six months later, NEC still hasn’t managed to have a substantive discussion on the matter.
Meanwhile, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele speaks of “developing legal frameworks” for state police but these frameworks will ultimately need executive buy-in to succeed. Without clear signals from NEC, these legislative efforts risk becoming academic exercises.
The Human Cost of Delay
Perhaps most troubling is the juxtaposition of the minute of silence observed for victims of recent attacks in Plateau, Benue, Zamfara, and Kwara where over 100 people were reportedly killed against the postponement of discussions on a potential solution to such violence.
This ceremonial acknowledgment of tragedy, while postponing action on preventative measures, represents a fundamental failure of governance. Symbolic gestures cannot replace substantive policy action when lives are at stake.
The Real Reasons Behind the Delays
While “time constraints” may be the official explanation, several other factors likely contribute to these persistent delays:
- Power dynamics: State police would fundamentally alter the balance of power between federal and state governments, with significant implications for control of security apparatus.
- Financial concerns: Implementation would require substantial financial commitments at a time when many states struggle to meet existing obligations.
- Political calculations: With the 2027 election cycle approaching, there may be reluctance to make major structural changes that could affect political calculations.
- Institutional resistance: Entrenched interests within existing security structures may be resistant to reforms that would diminish their authority.
A Path Forward
If Nigeria is serious about addressing its security challenges through police reform, several steps are necessary:
- Prioritization: Security issues must be given explicit priority in NEC agendas, with time allocations that reflect their importance.
- Transparency: The specific concerns delaying consensus should be publicly acknowledged rather than hidden behind procedural excuses.
- Concrete timeline: A firm timeline for decision-making should be established, with accountability mechanisms for further delays.
- Stakeholder engagement: Beyond governors and federal officials, civil society, security experts, and community representatives should have meaningful input.
The repeated postponement of state police discussions reveals a governance approach that fails to match urgent rhetoric with decisive action. As security challenges continue to claim lives across Nigeria, this pattern of deferral represents not just a procedural issue but a fundamental failure to prioritize the safety of citizens.
When a nation observes minutes of silence for victims while simultaneously postponing discussions on measures that might prevent future tragedies, it calls into question not just administrative efficiency but the underlying commitment to addressing root causes of insecurity.
The question Nigerians should be asking isn’t when state police will next appear on the NEC agenda, but rather: When will our governance structures begin treating security reform with the urgency it so clearly deserves?
Reference
NEC defers state police discussion for third time, cites time constraint