Date: Nov 28, 2025
Source: Naija News Channel
Bello El-Rufai, member of the House of Representatives, has issued a strong warning to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and fellow lawmakers, urging them to suspend all election-related conversations and focus on what he describes as the most urgent national priority — the creation of state police.
The lawmaker made the remarks during plenary, a session captured by Voice TV, where he emphasized that Nigeria’s escalating insecurity leaves no room for political distraction.
According to El-Rufai, Nigerians are suffering devastating attacks from bandits, insurgents, and kidnappers, and the National Assembly must act decisively.
Speaking directly to Akpabio during the session, he insisted:
“Sir, no time for election talks now. We have to tell the public a timeline to roll this out now.”
El-Rufai stressed that the introduction of state policing is the only practical reform capable of empowering governors and local authorities to respond swiftly to threats, boost intelligence gathering, and protect citizens at the grassroots.
He condemned Nigeria’s current centralized police structure as overstretched, outdated, and incapable of handling the growing wave of violence across multiple regions.
The lawmaker added that recent attacks across the country have exposed the deep weaknesses of depending solely on federal agencies, arguing that state police will strengthen coordination and provide communities with faster, more effective security protection.
Some Nigerians believe that state police could be a strong step forward because local officers understand their communities and can respond faster.
Others fear it may lead to political abuse, intimidation, and misuse by powerful governors.
The balanced view?
State policing may work — but only if backed with strong regulations, accountability, and independent oversight to prevent its misuse.
What do you think?
👉 Is state police truly the answer to Nigeria’s insecurity, or could it create new challenges?
Drop your comment in the comment box!
