State Police: Governors’ Excuse On Control Over Security Agencies Now Removed – Sowunmi says governors must now take responsibility for security.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Sowunmi, has thrown his weight behind the push for state police across Nigeria.
Sowunmi spoke on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.
He praised President Bola Tinubu for supporting the constitutional amendment bill that seeks to establish state police.
According to Sowunmi, concerns that governors may abuse state police powers should not stop the reform.
He described such arguments as weak and unhelpful.
“Mr President, ‘Eagle One’, well done, because the argument people made that ‘Oh, it would be abused’ is annoying,” he said.
Sowunmi argued that the new arrangement removes a major excuse often used by state governors.
For years, many governors complained that they lacked control over security agencies operating in their states.
As a result, they often blamed rising insecurity on the centralised policing system.
However, Sowunmi said that excuse can no longer stand.
“Now we have removed that excuse,” he stated.
He added that governors must now take greater responsibility for protecting lives and property.
According to him, state leaders can no longer claim they lack the authority to address security challenges in their areas.
The comments came shortly after the Senate passed the state police bill.
Lawmakers approved the proposal on Wednesday after President Tinubu transmitted it to the National Assembly.
The bill forms part of broader efforts to strengthen security across the country.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele presented the general principles of the bill before lawmakers debated it.
After deliberations, the Senate passed the measure through its second and third readings.
One of the key provisions allows state governors to appoint commissioners of police.
However, state Houses of Assembly must confirm those appointments before they take effect.
Supporters of the bill believe it will improve security responses at the local level.
They argue that state governments understand their security challenges better and can react more quickly.
In recent years, calls for state police have grown louder.
Many Nigerians have expressed concern over rising cases of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
Advocates of state policing say a decentralised system could help security agencies respond more effectively.
Earlier this year, Tinubu urged lawmakers to consider constitutional changes that would make state police possible.
Speaking during an interfaith breakfast with senators at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on February 26, 2026, the President stressed the need for urgent action.
He said Nigeria must adopt stronger measures to tackle insecurity.
Tinubu noted that terrorism, insurgency and banditry continue to threaten communities across the country.
He also urged lawmakers to support reforms that would help secure forests, protect citizens and reduce fear among Nigerians.
With the Senate’s approval, the debate over state police has entered a new phase.
Supporters see it as a major step toward improving security, while critics continue to raise concerns about possible political interference.
Despite those concerns, Sowunmi believes the reform will make governors more accountable for security in their states.
