Nwankwo: State Police Should Not Be Rushed Ahead of 2027 Elections

Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Clement Nwankwo, has urged the National Assembly to prioritise the proposed Special Seats Bill for women over the creation of state police ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Nwankwo, in an interview, expressed concern over the slow pace of constitutional amendments by the 10th National Assembly, warning that Nigerians could be disappointed if lawmakers fail to deliver on their promises.

He noted that women currently account for less than four per cent of members of the National Assembly, describing the situation as unacceptable and stressing the need for the Special Seats Bill to increase women’s representation in legislative institutions.

On state police, Nwankwo said the initiative could improve policing but warned against rushing its establishment before the 2027 elections.

He called for strong safeguards to prevent governors from using state police against political opponents and critics, stressing the need for operational independence, transparent funding, protected appointments and promotions, and effective judicial and constitutional oversight.

Nwankwo also raised concerns about the conduct of security agencies during elections, urging that the police be insulated from political interference.

On the 2027 elections, he said the electronic transmission of results must be implemented fully, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ensuring that results are transmitted electronically without unnecessary reliance on manual transmission.

He urged Nigerians to learn from the Osun governorship election and actively protect their votes, while calling on political parties to build citizens’ confidence in the electoral process.

Nwankwo stressed that Nigerians should be allowed to vote freely without intimidation or manipulation by state institutions.