Buba Galadima Warns Against State Police, Says It Will Undermine Democracy in Nigeria.
Buba Galadima warns that the creation of state police would turn it into a tool that could ultimately dismantle Nigeria’s democracy.
Elder statesman and prominent NNPP chieftain, Buba Galadima, has strongly opposed the proposed creation of state police in Nigeria, warning that it poses a serious threat to the country’s democracy.
In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday, Galadima described the idea as dangerous and premature, asserting that the Nigerian political system is not equipped to manage decentralized policing. He cautioned that state governors would misuse state police to intimidate, arrest, and detain political opponents.
“I beg Nigerians and members of the National Assembly, including state assemblies, never to support the creation of state police under any circumstance,” Galadima said. “It may seem convenient now, but if it becomes enshrined in the Constitution, reversing it will be nearly impossible. It will destroy democracy.”
Citing his experience in various national conferences, including the 1987 Constituent Assembly, the 1994 Constitutional Conference, and the 2014 National Conference, Galadima said he has consistently opposed the idea. He noted that many governors already manipulate local government elections, and giving them control over security forces would further erode civil liberties and democratic principles.
Galadima also dismissed current efforts to amend the constitution, stating that the real issue lies not in the law but in the mindset of Nigerian leaders. “We don’t need constitutional amendments; what we need is a change in attitude. Let them implement what is already there.”
He rejected calls for additional state creation and broader constitutional restructuring, labeling them as distractions driven by ethnic and political interests rather than genuine development goals.
“What we truly need is electoral reform, where the people’s votes count,” he emphasized. “That doesn’t require a constitutional amendment. The current electoral laws are sufficient if properly enforced.”
Galadima concluded by urging Nigerians and the political class to unite around the cause of electoral reform, warning that without it, democratic progress will remain out of reach.
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