TMSG Hails Tinubu’s Reaffirmation of State Policing
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has described President Bola Tinubu’s renewed affirmation of state policing as a demonstration of consistency and clarity in policy direction.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group said that despite delays in the process, it had become increasingly evident that the Tinubu administration remained committed to institutionalising state police in the country.
TMSG noted that the President’s recent remarks during an Iftar with state governors marked at least the third time within a year that he had publicly restated his support for a decentralised policing system.
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The statement read in part: “We are aware that President Tinubu’s pledge on the establishment of state police at the Iftar with state governors is about the third time in one year that he would be stating his position on a decentralised police system for the country.
“When President Tinubu first mooted the idea of state police at an exploratory meeting with governors in February 2024, it was in line with his long-standing belief that a decentralised police force is the panacea for security challenges in the country. We recall that his predecessor, the late Muhammadu Buhari, had ruled out that option because of his belief that state governors would abuse it.”
The group said the President’s reaffirmation two years after the initial exploratory meeting underscored his determination to see through the constitutional amendment process currently before the National Assembly of Nigeria.
According to TMSG, the ongoing legislative process signals that the administration is serious about restructuring the nation’s policing architecture to address persistent security challenges.
“We agree with President Tinubu that state police would go a long way to curb insecurity. It is a bottom-up approach to policing because it involves decentralising security responsibilities to local levels as well as empowering states to take ownership of security in their territory,” the statement added.
The group described the initiative as part of a broader “whole-of-government approach” to national security, stressing that devolving policing functions would make communities integral stakeholders in maintaining law and order.
While acknowledging concerns over potential abuse of state police by subnational authorities, TMSG said it was encouraged by safeguards reportedly being considered by lawmakers.
It pointed to provisions for a strengthened National Police Council to provide guidelines to states, maintain oversight, and recommend the removal of erring police chiefs where necessary.
It further noted that under the proposed framework, the federal police would retain jurisdiction over federal offences, national security matters and inter-state crimes, while state police would focus on local security concerns.
TMSG urged the federal legislature to expedite the constitutional amendment process, noting that it would still require approval by state Houses of Assembly before becoming law.
“Like all Nigerians, we are eagerly looking forward to the National Assembly completing work on the process of amending the constitution to reflect a decentralised police system for the country,” the group stated.
The organisation expressed optimism that once enacted, state policing would strengthen internal security and enhance governance at the grassroots level.
