The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to dismiss proposals advocating for the establishment of state police.
This appeal comes as a direct response to Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s recent statement during a court session marking the beginning of the 2025/2026 legal year, where he pushed for the creation of state police to tackle security challenges.
In contrast, the North-Central APC Forum, comprising stakeholders from the region, strongly opposed the governor’s stance. In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, the Forum cautioned that establishing state police could lead to the oppression of minority groups and political opponents.
They expressed concern that state police might worsen insecurity and become a means for governors to exercise unchecked power. The Forum warned that many governors already misuse federal police for political purposes, and granting them control of their own police forces would only escalate abuses.
The Forum argued that such a system could destabilize Nigeria’s democracy by silencing dissent, harassing minorities, and suppressing religious and cultural diversity—especially in states like Plateau, known for their secular and multi-religious nature.
They also claimed that introducing state police could pave the way for the imposition of state-sponsored religion, as some governors already prioritize religious agendas over constitutional governance.
Therefore, the Forum urged President Tinubu, lawmakers, and civil society to reject the idea, describing state police as a dangerous and divisive concept that could lead to widespread impunity and injustice.
About The Author
