Chris Emejuru, a public affairs commentator and prominent member of the Action Democratic Party, has advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to put a stop to the state policing initiative. In a Sunday briefing, Emejuru argued that the government ought to prioritize alleviating the widespread poverty affecting citizens rather than shifting its focus to law enforcement structures.
This appeal follows the advancement of the State Police Bill, which is currently moving through constitutional amendment processes in both the Senate and the House of Representatives before heading to state legislatures. Emejuru dismissed the effectiveness of militarization, stating that military hardware cannot resolve the hunger faced by struggling young people. He emphasized that the government must address the root cause of crime by combating poverty, asserting that national security will naturally improve once the economic crisis is managed.
While acknowledging the potential for reform, Emejuru warned that the transition to state-level policing requires extreme care to prevent misuse by corrupt officials. He cautioned that even with proper safeguards, this policy will not be a panacea for the nation’s security struggles unless the administration tackles the severe financial hardship currently gripping the country.
