Peter Obi advises President Tinubu to delay state police implementation until after 2027 election
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Peter 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鈥檚 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.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the creation of the National Health Technology and Data Analytics Office NHTDAO to coordinate Nigeria鈥檚 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 ReadThe 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
Rivers State Governor Siminialayi Fubara has called on the organized private sector to invest in Nigeria's blue economy, emphasizing the need for government-private sector partnerships to unlock economic potential. Speaking at the Annual General Meeting/Conference of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture NACCIMA in Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara, represented by his deputy Professor Ngozi Odu, warned that foreign entities would dominate the sector if local private businesses did not act quickly. He highlighted the blue economy's capacity to generate more revenue than oil and gas, noting that foreign trawlers currently exploit Nigeria's territorial waters without contributing to the government. Governor Fubara reiterated his administration's commitment to creating an enabling environment for private sector participation, investment, job creation, and sustainable development. NACCIMA President Engineer Jani Ibrahim commended the Rivers State government for its investment-friendly policies and infrastructure development, which enhance the state's competitiveness and reputation as a key commerce and investment hub. President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce Industries Mines and Agriculture Dr Chinyere Nwoga added that hosting the conference signifies the state's safety and readiness for business and investors.