African Democratic Congress supports state police but criticizes Tinubu's 'rushed' plan
via Punch Nigeria4 min read
The African Democratic Congress ADC has criticized the Bola Tinubu-led government's push for state police, describing the proposed legislation as a hurried response to Nigeria's worsening insecurity rather than a carefully planned constitutional reform. In a statement, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary, said that while the party consistently supports state police, the reform requires institutional safeguards for professionalism, accountability, and oversight. The ADC argues that state police should not be presented as an immediate solution to terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping. The party views the government's effort as a "hurried response to a worsening security crisis" rather than careful institutional planning. The ADC also rejected the portrayal of state police as a new initiative, noting its long history in Nigeria's constitutional debate. They stated that state police is a structural reform whose benefits will be realized over time and cannot solve today's emergency. The party criticized the speed of the National Assembly's processing of the legislation, insisting that such constitutional amendments require extensive public consultation and stakeholder engagement. The ADC questioned the timing, asking why the administration waited almost until the end of its tenure to rush the amendment. They also raised concerns about the significant investments needed for functional state police services and the absence of clear safeguards against political in
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadSix players of Nigerian heritage were selected in the 2026 NBA Draft, highlighting Nigeria's growing presence in global basketball. The draftees include Ebuka Okorie, Zuby Ejiofor, Otega Oweh, Felix Okpara, Tobi Lawal, and Ugonna Onyenso. Ebuka Okorie, a Stanford guard, was the 17th overall pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder, though he is expected to join the Detroit Pistons. Zuby Ejiofor from St. John's University was selected 23rd overall by the Atlanta Hawks. Kentucky's Otega Oweh was picked 41st by the Miami Heat, with his rights likely transferring to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Oweh averaged 18.6 points and 1.8 steals per game in his final college season. Felix Okpara, a former Ohio State and Tennessee center, was the 46th pick by the Orlando Magic. Tobi Lawal, a forward from Virginia Tech, was selected 48th by the Dallas Mavericks; he began playing basketball at age 16 in London before moving to the United States. Ugonna Onyenso, born in Imo State, was the 53rd pick by the Houston Rockets. Onyenso, who previously played football, moved to the US in 2018 and later attended the NBA Academy Africa in Senegal. He was the youngest player to represent Nigeria's senior men's basketball team at 17.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the creation of the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office NHTDAO to coordinate Nigeria’s digital health agenda. Dr. Obi Adigwe, Director-General of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, has been appointed as the pioneer National Coordinator. The office will be housed within the Office of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare and aims to reinforce existing health institutions, harmonize public and private health entities, and operationalize the National Digital Health Architecture. A steering committee co-chaired by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and the Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Olaniyi Yusuf, will oversee the NHTDAO. The President expects the NHTDAO to accelerate Nigeria's transition to a secure, interoperable, and data-driven health system, aligning with his administration's Renewed Hope Agenda.
Must ReadPeter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has urged President Bola Tinubu to postpone the implementation of state police until after the 2027 general election. Obi expressed concerns that introducing a new policing structure before the polls could lead to political manipulation. His statement follows the National Assembly's passage of the Constitution Alteration Bill, which seeks to establish state police alongside the Nigeria Police Force. This bill, a reform aimed at decentralizing Nigeria’s policing system due to increasing insecurity, now requires approval from at least 24 state Houses of Assembly before presidential assent. While acknowledging the merits of decentralized policing, Obi, the former Anambra State governor, raised concerns about the transparency of the current implementation process and the potential for political abuse, especially with the 2027 general election approaching. He called for strong independent oversight, including state Police Service Commissions insulated from executive control, to ensure state police serve the public interest rather than becoming tools for the political elite. Obi argued there is no assurance the current administration would not exploit state police to influence the 2027 general election, thus recommending deferring its implementation until after the election.