Abati Faults Gov Makinde Over State Police Creation Comment

Veteran journalist, and co-host of The Morning Show on Arise Television, Dr Reuben Abati, has faulted Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, over the governor’s claim that President Bola Tinubu is not sincere about the proposed creation of state police in Nigeria.

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Naija Metro News yesterday reported that Makinde, while speaking at the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) rally in Ibadan, alleged that the Federal Government was deliberately delaying the implementation of state police despite worsening insecurity across the country.

The governor argued that if President Bola Tinubu was genuinely committed to the idea, he would empower state Houses of Assembly to immediately enact laws establishing state policing structures, instead of allowing the Inspector-General of Police to drive the process.

Makinde described the current approach as a delay tactic and accused the president of “wasting Nigerians’ time” on the issue.

Reacting during Friday’s edition of The Morning Show on Arise Television, Abati defended Tinubu, insisting that the president had consistently supported state police long before assuming office.

Abati explained that the creation of state police requires constitutional amendments and legislative backing, noting that the process cannot be executed through mere executive pronouncements.

According to him, the president is already working with the National Assembly to ensure that the necessary constitutional framework is put in place for states to operate their own policing systems.

“President Bola Tinubu has always supported state police, even before becoming president. But there are constitutional procedures that must be followed. You cannot establish state police outside the framework of the constitution.

“The president should not be blamed for delays tied to constitutional processes. The administration has already directed lawmakers to expedite action on the required legal backing,” he said.