Makinde to Tinubu: Stop deceiving Nigerians over state police

The Governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde has called on the federal government to stop “deceiving Nigerians” over the creation of state police, insisting that states already have the power to establish their own policing structures through legislation.

Makinde made the remarks on Thursday while speaking at the governorship, senatorial and legislative primaries of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibadan.

The governor argued that the delay in establishing state police was unnecessary, citing the example of the Western Nigeria Security Network, also known as Amotekun, which was created by South-West states through laws passed by their respective Houses of Assembly.

According to him, Amotekun was introduced as a temporary measure after efforts to establish state police failed, demonstrating that states can take independent action on security matters.

“We wanted state police, but when it didn’t materialise, we created Amotekun as a stopgap. They should stop wasting Nigerians’ time,” he said.

Makinde maintained that state assemblies should be empowered to create state police outfits without relying on directives from the Nigeria Police Force.

“If they want to establish state police, they should not ask the Inspector-General of Police to do it. Give state assemblies the authority and support, and state police will become a reality in no time,” he added.

His comments come shortly after Bola Ahmed Tinubu reiterated support for state police while accepting the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket for the 2027 election.

Tinubu described the creation of state police as a national priority and called on the National Assembly to amend the Constitution to enable its implementation.

Discussions around state police have gained momentum amid rising insecurity, with the National Economic Council previously asking states to submit proposals on how such a system would function.

However, the idea has faced opposition in the past, particularly under former President Muhammadu Buhari, whose administration raised concerns that state-controlled police could be abused by governors for political purposes.

Makinde, however, insisted that the success of Amotekun shows states are capable of managing decentralised security frameworks and should be allowed to take the lead.