Chidi Odinkalu, former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has raised concerns over the timing and process of establishing state police in Nigeria, particularly during an election season. He pointed to two versions of the state police bill currently before the National Assembly—one passed by the Senate and another by the House of Representatives—neither of which has been made publicly available for citizen review. Odinkalu emphasized that Nigerians have not been included in the debate despite having a right to participate in such legislative processes.
The law professor argued that the police are being positioned as the most powerful arm of the state without public consultation. He highlighted a critical distinction between law enforcement and internal security, noting that while the police enforce laws, internal security falls under the Department of State Service (DSS). According to Odinkalu, governors pushing for state police control have not historically funded their Ministries of Justice, raising doubts about their true motives.
He questioned why governors who have neglected justice institutions now show interest in financing police units, suggesting the move is tied to electoral manipulation rather than public safety. "These are governors who have never funded their Ministries of Justice. Now they will find money to give to police because police is used for illegal elections," Odinkalu said. He added that no serious discussion has emerged on improving the justice system, even though it is essential for prosecuting criminals.
Odinkalu stressed that the absence of citizen input and the secrecy surrounding the bills undermine democratic principles. He maintained that the push for state police should not occur in secrecy, especially when it involves restructuring a key state institution during a politically sensitive period.
Odinkalu exposes a contradiction: governors demanding control of police have consistently underfunded the very justice institutions needed to uphold the rule of law. Their sudden interest in policing, without parallel calls to fund prosecution or courts, suggests priorities lie in political control, not public safety. Nigerians whose governors have neglected justice budgets now face a system where police power may shift without transparency or accountability. The timing, during an election season, deepens suspicion around the real intent behind the push.
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