Akpabio Warns Against Political Misuse in State Police Bill, Calls for Strong Safeguards

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has warned Nigerian governors not to turn state police into tools of political persecution as the Senate moves to pass the Constitution Alteration (State Police) Bill 2026. He spoke during a plenary session where lawmakers prepared to approve decentralised policing to tackle rising insecurity. Akpabio noted that Nigeria has never decentralised policing since 1960. He stressed the need for robust safeguards so that outgoing governors cannot abuse the force they helped establish. He highlighted key provisions, including merit-based recruitment, national minimum standards, independent State Police Service Commissions for oversight, and state assembly accountability. The amendment requires two-thirds approval in both chambers and ratification by at least 24 state assemblies before presidential assent.

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