They introduced state police to disrupt elections, kill democracy – Buba Galadima
NDC Chieftain Raises Concerns Over Proposed State Police in Nigeria
Buba Galadima, a prominent member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has voiced strong opposition to the establishment of state police, citing potential political abuses and threats to national unity. In an interview on Arise TV Tuesday, Galadima stated that the initiative may not be aimed at addressing insecurity, but rather at consolidating political power ahead of upcoming elections.
“Nobody ever conceived the idea of state police to tackle security issues. If the Nigerian Police and military struggle to manage crime effectively, I question the effectiveness of state police in this regard,” he expressed.
Galadima accused both the President and state governors of pushing for state police primarily to use them against political adversaries during the election cycle. “What we see is a strategy to use state police as a political force to attack the opposition, disrupt elections, and undermine democracy,” he asserted.
He referenced the historical precedent of the Native Authority Police in northern Nigeria, which he claimed was utilized to suppress dissent among political opponents. “As elections approached, the Native Authority Police would detain opposition figures under various pretexts,” he recalled.
Galadima further alleged that the misuse of the Native Authority Police led to the displacement of many individuals in northern Nigeria. “Most Hausa people across Africa and Nigeria fled due to actions taken by the Native Authority Police in states like Kano and Katsina,” he claimed.
Furthermore, he warned that a state police force could exacerbate ethnic and religious divisions if recruitment does not reflect the state’s diversity. “The establishment of state police could harm the country’s unity, leading to increased division and suspicion rather than solutions,” he cautioned.
The discussion surrounding the establishment of state police remains contentious, with proponents advocating for enhanced community policing and security, while critics highlight the risks of political manipulation and human rights abuses.