Politics
State police: Like Obi, ADC, Sowore seek delays till after 2027 polls
By Tony Chuddy
As president Bola Tinubu gets set to receive the State police in ill from the national assembly on September 3, the opposition political parties have called for the suspension of it’s implementation till after the 2027 general election
Just as the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi had earlier called, his African Action Congress (ASC) counterpart, Omoyele Sowore has called for caution over the what he described as the rush in the implementation of the state police by the federal government
The ASC presidential candidate state police wants discussions about the matter shelved until after the 2027 general elections.
The activist who faulted the timing of the bill and deliberations said state police is coming at the wrong time, especially with the election coming in few months away.
He said, “I would say that we wait until the elections are over. The election is a major distraction at this time — the election is months away, and everybody is going to be more interested in how to campaign, how to choose their candidates, and how to ensure the elections are free and fair,” the publisher said on Tuesday’s edition of Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.
“To now insert state policing, a very major, major constitutional change of fundamental federal structural change that could lead to structural damage or that could lead to interference with the election, is not the best time.
“That is the only issue I have with it being rushed. So when we are done with the elections, we can commence immediately with a conversation about state policing and who is where in terms of breaking down the architecture in the country.”
It would be recalled that the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, who is also the chairman of the presidential State police implementation committee announced on Monday that President Bola Tinubu would receive the bill on September 3
Sowore expressed concern over how governors will handle state police, claiming that “Nigerian state governors are not trustworthy to be handed, you know, security personnel of this scale”.
” My concern is that we may end up in the middle of elections with state police in the hands of these very ravenous political juggernauts who are called governors, apparently some of the most powerful politicians in the country,” he wsrned
In a similar development, the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised concerns over the manner the House of Representatives handled and passed the State police bill, and therefore called on the Teps to recommit the proposed State Police Constitution Alteration Bill to a fresh legislative process.
The party in a statement issued Tuesday byjits National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdulahi, warned that such an important amendment must be handled in a transparent, constitutional and inclusive manner, unlike the way it was handled by the lawmakers
The ADC said that while it supports the creation of state police to tackle Nigeria’s security challenges, it cannot support a process that allegedly undermines the Constitution.
“The Constitution is not amended by convenience. It is amended through strict procedures that leave no room for improvisation,” the statement said.
According to the ADC, regardless of the intention behind the bill, the constitutional process for amending the nation’s laws must not be bypassed.
“It is one thing to pass a Bill for political expediency. It is another thing to ensure that it actually solves the problem it was intended to solve,” the party said.
“Nigeria deserves a State Police framework that would promote inclusiveness ands public confidence because it has been properly debated, strengthened to guarantee the required outcome and protect against abuse before becoming part of our Constitution,” the statement added.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, has denied reports that it has withdrawn the list of its 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, describing the reports as rumours.
The APC had at the weekend releases a list of 233 members who formed it’s 2027 presidential election campaign team, with president Bola Tinubu and vice president Kashim Shetimma as chairman and vice chairman respectively
The list also had former governor of Zanfara state and current senator representing Zanfara central, Abdulaziz Yaris as the Director General, while governor Hope Uzodimma was appointed the secretary
The list has however been greeted with criticisms following the large number of party members who are currently facing corruption investigations by the country’s anti graft agencies
The criticism led to reports on Monday that president Tinubu’ has withdrawn the last day and called for it’s rejig to include some other prominent members of the APC, who were mit carried along
But the party on Tuesday denied reports that it has withdrawn the presidential election campaign list, describing it as rumours
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka, made this rebuttal on Tuesday when he appeared on a TVC morning program
“It’s rumour. If there is any change to the list, it will be formally announced,” he said.
Ahead of the 2027 general election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused former vice president Atiku Abubarkar, former governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi and his Kano state counterpart, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of contributing to the problems facing Nigeria
While Atiku is the presidential candidate of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), ahead of the 2027 general election, Peter Obi is contesting the presidency on the platform of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), with Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate
National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka, on Tuesday accused the opposition candidates of grandstanding, saying they all lack the qualities to defeat president Bola Tinubu
Morka said in an interview of TVC television that Kwankwaso was part of the establishment responsible for the challenges Nigerians are currently facing.
The ruling party spokesperson insisted that the former Kano State governor is not the new direction that Nigerians need.
He said, “Kwankwaso, a new direction to where? And I will offer an answer: a new direction to nowhere. This election is not about making empty buzzwords and speaking as though he just dropped from the sky.
“He has been and remains a part and parcel of the Nigerian establishment, so whatever is going on today, Kwankwaso was a frontline contributor to the challenges that we are facing today; he is by every standard.
“So when men like Atiku, Kwankwaso, Peter Obi, and some of these elements of the opposition come out to grandstand, I don’t need to say much because I think that Nigerians understand what they are up to.
“Simply throwing around; these words mean nothing. Nigerians know that this country, over generations, was severely misgoverned, not just by the military dictatorship but by Democrats who wielded authority in this country; they didn’t serve the country well and Nigerians know that.”
The vice president of Tanzania, Emmanuel John Nchimbi, has on Tuesday, announced his resignation from office and retirement from politics and public service.
Nchimbi said he had formally written to President Samia Suluhu Hassan to inform her of his resignation which will take effect on September 4, according to a public notice issued by the Office of the Vice-President in Dodoma.
Nchimbi said his decision was based on a commitment he made to President Hassan when he assumed office. He said he had pledged to serve faithfully and leave whenever the President felt a change was necessary.
He stated that he was now convinced that President Hassan wanted a change in the vice-presidential position and had therefore decided to honour that commitment
The Vice-President cited Article 50(2)(c), read together with Article 149(2) of Tanzania’s Constitution, as the legal basis for his resignation.
Nchimbi assumed the vice-presidency in November 2025, succeeding the late Philip Mpango. His departure therefore comes less than a year after he took up the country’s second-highest constitutional office.
His resignation follows weeks of speculation over his position within President Hassan’s administration.
Nchimbi also announced that he would withdraw from active politics and public service, ending a political career spanning more than three decades.
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