Nigeria not ripe for state police – ANPP scribe

Abuja – The National Publicity Secretary of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Mr Emma Eneukwu, said on Tuesday that the country was not ripe for the creation of state police.

The National Publicity Secretary, Mr Emma Eneukwu, made the remark in an interview in Abuja.

Eneukwu said the call to create state police now would worsen the whole situation because some powerful people in the state would hijack it for their interest.

He urged the Federal Government to device a method that would not allow unnecessary interference from any quarters if state police were to be created.

“ United States of America that introduced state police have come a long way in intelligence, but Nigeria has not matured to that level to call for creation of state police.

“ So introducing it now will affect our young democracy if not outright collapse of the entire security network,” he advised

On Fiscal federalism, he said it meant practising federalism in totality, the Judiciary, Executives, Legislatures and all other government institutions must be functional and independent of each other.

The scribe said with what the country was facing now, it would be very difficult to operate fiscal federalism.

He expressed optimism that with attitudinal change, strengthening the anti grafts agencies and other sensitive areas of the government, it may be practicable.

On giving traditional rulers roles in the constitution, Eneukwu said ANPP was in full support because roles went with remunerations and with that, they would be able to perform their duties diligently.

He said with constitutional roles, it would afford them the much needed exposure and determination to serve as watch dogs in their respective domains.

“ This is because they know almost everybody in their respective domains and whoever indulged in bad behaviour can easily be identified and dealt with accordingly.

“ This will go long way in reducing cases of insecurity and criminality in the entire country,” he submitted

He attributed the rate of insecurity in the country to the failure of the traditional ruler’s inactiveness to contain the security challenges in their domains.

He expressed confidence that given the traditional rulers roles in the constitution would be a wake up call to them thereby, reducing the rate of insecurity in the country.

According to him, it would also improve on our cultural values, norms and traditions of the people of this country.

Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Constitution Review, , on July 10, in Uyo said the National Assembly, was set to look into the calls for creation of state police in the constitution amendment.

Ike Ekweremadu is also the Deputy Senate President. NAN