Uba Sani: Governors won’t misuse state police if legislation prevents abuse

Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, says sub-national leaders will not misuse state police if legislation is properly designed to prevent political interference and abuse.

Sani spoke on Saturday on TVC after a meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council.

The northern leaders had called on the national assembly to fast-track the passage of the bill for the creation of state police.

The legislation proposes to transfer the term “police” in the 1999 constitution (as amended) from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list.

However, critics have argued that state governors could abuse such a policing system, using it as a tool to intimidate dissenting voices.

Proponents of state police believe that the system will allow states to tackle security challenges without relying on the federal government.

During the TVC interview, Sani was asked to react to concerns on creation of state police, particularly funding challenges and potential abuse.

The Kaduna governor said the crafters of the legislation can design it in such a way that the policing system only addresses criminalities.

“The issue of fears. When you are crafting a law, it depends on the crafters of the law,” he said.

“There cannot be any abuse if this law is crafted in such a way that won’t allow governors to abuse it. That is how to address it.

“The crafters of that bill can make it clear that the only focus should be on criminalities not on political issues.

“Let’s relegate the issue of politics and address insecurity.”

The Kaduna governor said without security, states cannot address issues of healthcare, infrastructure, and education.

“The issue of security is very important when we are talking about healthcare, education, and infrastructure,” he said.

“They (infrastructural development) cannot be possible when there is insecurity. Don’t talk about naira and kobo when we are talking about saving the lives of our people. Let’s leave the issues of funding. We must fund it.

“Some states cannot even address the issue of infrastructure because of security problems.”