As Nigeria moves closer to renewed constitutional discussions on the creation of state police, comments made nearly four years ago by former Social Democratic Party presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, are attracting renewed attention.
In an interview conducted ahead of the 2023 presidential election, Adebayo strongly advocated the establishment of state and local government policing structures, arguing that Nigeria's highly centralised security architecture has become ineffective and disconnected from local realities.
According to him, any level of government empowered to make laws should also possess the authority to enforce them.
Adebayo argued that it is contradictory for states to legislate on issues such as criminal offences, sanitation, public order, and local administration while relying almost entirely on a centrally controlled police system headquartered in Abuja.
He maintained that most crimes affecting everyday life—including murder, theft, arson, and other serious offences, are prosecuted under state laws, raising questions about why states have limited operational control over policing.
Using Lagos State as an example, Adebayo questioned situations in which incidents occurring entirely within a state still require intervention or approval from federal authorities.
According to him, such arrangements weaken accountability, slow response times, and delay justice.
The former presidential candidate also called for broader police reforms beyond decentralisation, insisting that policing in Nigeria should shift from what he described as a culture of force to a system rooted in public service, community engagement, and public trust.
He argued that the police should serve the people rather than function primarily as an extension of government power.
Adebayo further proposed stronger institutional connections between policing and the justice system, including reforms designed to reinforce the role of legal institutions in ensuring accountability and protecting citizens' rights.
Beyond security matters, he linked Nigeria's security challenges to wider failures in economic governance.
He rejected claims that Nigeria's fiscal difficulties stem largely from inadequate taxation, arguing instead that the country loses substantial revenue through leakages, resource theft, and weak administrative systems.
According to him, the government should prioritise recovering legally due revenues rather than imposing additional tax burdens on citizens and businesses.
Adebayo cited crude oil theft and illegal solid mineral extraction as major areas where improved governance and enforcement could significantly boost national revenue.
He also criticised arbitrary tax practices, warning that unrealistic assessments discourage productivity, undermine business growth, and encourage corruption.
According to him, sustainable economic recovery requires efficient revenue collection, transparent public administration, and stronger protection of national resources.
Although the interview was conducted several years ago, many of the issues raised, particularly those concerning state policing, insecurity, governance, and economic management, remain at the centre of Nigeria's policy debates.
With discussions on state police once again gaining momentum, Adebayo's earlier arguments are resurfacing as part of broader calls for constitutional, security, and structural reforms across the country.
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