[size=14pt]Jonathan: Nigeria Not Yet Ripe for State Police[/size]
06 Dec 2011


President Goodluck Jonathan

By Ahamefula Ogbu

President Goodluck Jonathan Tuesday drove a death nail into the coffin of state police saying the country was not yet ripe for it as it is feared that it would be subjected to abuses by people in power.

He also explained the need to deregulate the downstream sector which was wider than the removal of fuel subsidy in order to stimulate growth in the economy while he vowed to strictly fight corruption.

Speaking in Ilorin, Kwara State Tuesday at the North Central Zonal meeting of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), Jonathan said that after a careful deliberation on the issue the National Council of State agreed that the country had not attained the political state to operate it.

Specifically, he said the political environment was not right and ripe to allow the states to have their police as the likelihood of being misused, adding, "state police may be theoretically good, but looking at our political environment, it could be abused to the detriment of the country".

He said the National Council of State insisted that states should not be allowed to have their own police at the current level of the political development till it is certain it would not be abused.

"The consensus is that we should get to the point where we will be sure that whoever is in power will not turn it against the people. The first step is for us to have confidence in elections conducted at the state and local government levels," he said.

He also told the gathering that his administration was still consulting a wider segment of the society with a view to coming to a compromise decision on the deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.

Town hall meetings, he continued would be held by Governors to explain to grassroots, the implication of the deregulation of the downstream sector which he said was wider than removal of subsidy.

"Deregulation is not just about removal of subsidy but also about how we can stimulate the economy to create jobs for our teeming unemployed young men and women. Government is not unmindful of the hardship faced by the average Nigerian and is doing its best to create conditions in which each and every Nigerian can lift his or herself out of the doldrums of poverty.

"We are not going to celebrate corruption but fight it by doing things properly and not creating opportunities for it to thrive. We are going to systematically fight it by setting up structures and strengthening the anti-corruption institutions," the President said.

He commended NIREC for the role they have been playing to ensure peaceful co-existence and progress of the nation as moderating influences in among their followers trough guiding them through the path of peace.

Concluding, he said, “We do not all have to agree with each other in every aspect of life for us to live in peace and build unity. What we simply have to agree on is the fact that Nigeria is our nation and we are all Nigerians and share a common patrimony and as such we have to practice the fundamental principle of inclusivity”.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/jonathan-nigeria-not-yet-ripe-for-state-police/104417/

Funny! Controlled by people in power? Must state police be controlled the governors? If what you have now isn't working then the smart thing would be to try something new. How bout taking a leaf from the structures put in place by the U.S. concerning state police.

Nigeria is not ready for resource control as well. Nigeria is not ready for true Federalism or anything for that matter.

Beaf:

[size=14pt]Jonathan: Nigeria Not Yet Ripe for State Police[/size]
06 Dec 2011


President Goodluck Jonathan


"The consensus is that we should get to the point where we will be sure that whoever is in power will not turn it against the people. The first step is for us to have confidence in elections conducted at the state and local government levels," he said.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/jonathan-nigeria-not-yet-ripe-for-state-police/104417/

When will this be? This is like saying we shouldn't learn to drive until we are sure not to have an accident.

Aigbofa:

When will this be? This is like saying we shouldn't learn to drive until we are sure not to have an accident.

My brother, you must understand that Jonathan speaks like this as a weak leader innately given to dereliction of his Presidential duty and shying away from tough decisions.

State Police forces will still be under the federal Republic of Nigeria so kini big deal as far as federal might exercising effective control over all Police forces in Nigeria? . Do Governors not currently use the Police force partisanly in their State anyway? Why deny serious Governors like Amaechi and Fashola the right to develop a modern police outfit that can cope effectively with the peculiar security challenges of their State? Must everyone continue to pay for the mediocrity, gradualism and lack of ambition of poor administrators like GEJ?

If GEJ is committed to delivering strong instititutions (and the appointment of Ringim is clue he is not) he will focus more on how any abuse will simply be checked effectively by the centre. Jonathan is a man who does not want 'wahala' and this is why he preempts event by thinking the worst rather than be the sort of proactive leader who can birth reform, innovation and take bravely radical yet necessary decisions . This is entirely defeatist from GEJ but not unexpected .

Gbawe:

My brother, you must understand that Jonathan speaks like this as a weak leader innately given to dereliction of his Presidential duty and shying away from tough decisions.

State Police forces will still be under the federal Republic of Nigeria so kini big deal as far as federal might exercising effective control over all Police forces in Nigeria? . Do Governors not currently use the Police force partisanly in their State anyway? Why deny serious Governors like Amaechi and Fashola the right to develop a modern police outfit that can cope effectively with the peculiar security challenges of their State? Must everyone continue to pay for the mediocrity, gradualism and lack of ambition of poor administrators like GEJ?

If GEJ is committed to delivering strong instititutions (and the appointment of Ringim is clue he is not) he will focus more on how any abuse will simply be checked effectively by the centre. Jonathan is a man who does not want 'wahala' and this is why he preempts event by thinking the worst rather than be the sort of proactive leader who can birth reform, innovation and take bravely radical yet necessary decisions . This is entirely defeatist from GEJ but not unexpected .

was wondering the same thing.
what are they really afraid of here? they need to tell us the truth.

Either u like it or not we must most not encourage state police for now i want to use lagos state as an example look at their KIA and LASTMA u will agree with me . 2 look at uduaghan of delta state that man is going to kill all the urhobo's in the state if he has his way infact the ruling party in every state are going to mis- use them

In my opinion, the powers that be at the centre seem to be afraid of Nigeria breaking up.

State police may lead to regional armies that could challenge the Army.  The Army does not like being challenged and wants to be able to topple civilian administrations whenever it feels like it.

Imagine state police being in force with a regional charismatic leader in charge of a zone.  Arms could be imported under the "state police" excuse/licence with training carried out surreptitiously. Any army man that wants to plot a coup will have to add another dimension.  His work would be doubled as all of a sudden the police force go from a "known" factor to an unknown quantum.

In addition to the above elections at the local government and state level could be harder to conduct as local champions may resist change.

State police will mean: Today it is LASTMA/KIA but tomorrow who knows!

Gbawe:

My brother, you must understand that Jonathan speaks like this as a weak leader innately given to dereliction of his Presidential duty and shying away from tough decisions.

State Police forces will still be under the federal Republic of Nigeria so kini big deal as far as federal might exercising effective control over all Police forces in Nigeria? . Do Governors not currently use the Police force partisanly in their State anyway? Why deny serious Governors like Amaechi and Fashola the right to develop a modern police outfit that can cope effectively with the peculiar security challenges of their State? Must everyone continue to pay for the mediocrity, gradualism and lack of ambition of poor administrators like GEJ?

If GEJ is committed to delivering strong instititutions (and the appointment of Ringim is clue he is not) he will focus more on how any abuse will simply be checked effectively by the centre. Jonathan is a man who does not want 'wahala' and this is why he preempts event by thinking the worst rather than be the sort of proactive leader who can birth reform, innovation and take bravely radical yet necessary decisions . This is entirely defeatist from GEJ but not unexpected .

It is very foolish to say that state police will be under the FG. State police will be autonomous.

very unfortunate

ibide:

Either u like it or not we must most not encourage state police for now i want to use lagos state as an example look at their KIA and LASTMA u will agree with me . 2[b] look at uduaghan of delta state that man is going to kill all the urhobo's in the state if he has his way infact the ruling party in every state are going to mis- use them[/b]

You demonstrate what I am saying. It is our institution that needs to get stronger , encouraged first and foremost by a focused President with integrity, rather than for us to automatically assume Nigeria is not ready for anything good because our leaders will hijack events partisanly.

I don't see why Uduaghan cannot be effectively punished and even removed by a strong and independent legislative arm totally focused on what is best for Deltans. Everytime we gain a weak President, this is what happens. We all start to assume the worst because our number 1 citizen is not inspiring confidence, nationalistic zeal and the 'can do' spirit in us. To that end, we begin to accept wrong as right. The Gbenga Daniel legislative episode was a classic example. GEJ was happy to watch legislative gansterism set a very negative precedent for Nigeria rather than step in decisively as a focused President to protect the legislative majority in Ogun State and demonstrate clearly and unequivocally that democracy is about the will of the majority.

Beaf:

It is very foolish to say that state police will be under the FG. State police will be autonomous.

My friend, they are still subject to the checks and balances of the federation hence "under the FG".

Specifically, he said the political environment was not right and ripe to allow the states to have their police as the likelihood of being misused, adding, "state police may be theoretically good, but looking at our political environment, it could be abused to the detriment of the country".

He said the National Council of State insisted that states should not be allowed to have their own police at the current level of the political development till it is certain it would not be abused.

"The consensus is that we should get to the point where we will be sure that whoever is in power will not turn it against the people. The first step is for us to have confidence in elections conducted at the state and local government levels," he said.

Unfortunately, I believe he is right!

Gbawe:

My friend, they are still subject to the checks and balances of the federation hence "under the FG".

What checks and balances? It is very disingenuous to make claims that cannot be sustained. State police would be autonomous as applies in other countries, its like the Met and Merseyside police; they are totally different forces.

If there is to be state police today and GEJ exerts influence over them, you will be the first to scream blue murder. You do not have to take a partisan stance in every matter and start talking about "weakness" this minute and "tyranny" the next, as the wind blows your mouth.

We all saw what Sylva did with Famou Tamgbei and how a politician was murdered by the police in Delta state, arguably on the orders of the powers that be. We have also witnessed how ex-gov Sheriff's militia morphed into the deadly boko haram. All these things and yet, we do not even have state police.
What will be the fate of the man on the street when each governor is allowed to own a legal, fully armed force for terror?

Beaf:

What checks and balances? It is very disingenuous to make claims that cannot be sustained. State police would be autonomous as applies in other countries, its like the Met and Merseyside police; they are totally different forces.

If there is to be state police today and GEJ exerts influence over them, you will be the first to scream blue murder. You do not have to take a partisan stance in every matter and start talking about "weakness" this minute and "tyranny" the next, as the wind blows your mouth.

haba, Mr"egbon mi ni razist" show some good gesture to Gbawe. After so many argument, He still addresses you as his friend. You can talk to him without underlining insults.

alj_harem:

haba, Mr"egbon mi ni razist" show some good gesture to Gbawe. After so many argument, He still addresses you as his friend. You can talk to him without underlining insults.

Its best for you to mind your business.
Not every matter has to be discussed in an overtly partisan and abusive manner, it begins to irritate people after some time.

Beaf, Gbawe is right. We all know this,including you. You dont need to keep supporting blindly. State police like I was suggesting in my first post does not mean control will be left to the governors.

Chyz*:

Beaf, Gbawe is right. We all know this,including you. You dont need to keep supporting blindly. State police like I was suggesting in my first post does not mean control will be left to the governors.

+ 1

Beaf:

What checks and balances? It is very disingenuous to make claims that cannot be sustained. State police would be autonomous as applies in other countries, its like the Met and Merseyside police; they are totally different forces.

If there is to be state police today and GEJ exerts influence over them, you will be the first to scream blue murder. You do not have to take a partisan stance in every matter and start talking about "weakness" this minute and "tyranny" the next, as the wind blows your mouth.

Give it a rest mate. You know as well as I do that Boris Johnson cannot, without consequences, begin using the Met partisanly because of the effective checks and balance system that makes the Met Police commisioner (Bernard Hogan-Howe) accountable to parliament rather than to London Politicians. You have taken simplistic talk to a new level if you cannot understand that State Police forces are autonomous in so far as seeking unique policing solutions and method for the areas they control. The autonomy does not extend to wholesale abusive use by one person or group of people while everyone in a nation is still subject to the federal laws of that Nation. We cannot keep talking as if Nigeria is a jungle that cannot aspire to better. In short we cannot , without trying, talk as if the tail wags the dog and not the other way round. GEJ said "leaner government not possible" and dodged lamely behind the constitution. Amosun wrote the legislators in his state and managed to get laws ratified to support his demand that salaries of public officials be cut[b] to raise money for capital spending[/b].

Gbawe:

Give it a rest mate. You know as well as I do that Boris Johnson cannot, without consequences, begin using the Met partisanly because of the effective checks and balance system that makes the Met Police commisioner (Bernard Hogan-Howe) accountable to parliament rather than to London Politicians. You have taken simplistic talk to a new level if you cannot understand that State Police forces are autonomous in so far as seeking unique policing solutions and method for the areas they control. The autonomy does not extend to wholesale abusive use by one person or group of people while everyone in a nation is still subject to the federal laws of that Nation. We cannot keep talking as if Nigeria is a jungle that cannot aspire to better. In short we cannot , without trying, talk as if the tail wags the dog and not the other way round. GEJ said "leaner government not possible" and dodged lamely behind the constitution. Amosun wrote the legislators in his state and managed to get laws ratified to support his demand that salaries of public officials be cut[b] to raise money for capital spending[/b].

You are a joker. Even LASTMA has killed people and will likely kill again, they regularly violently assault and harrass people, yet they arent even police.
Nigeria is a jungle because there are people who wish to state that black is white and white black.

A vast proportion of our politicians are crude and uncivilised. What checks and balances can stop crude men from being what they are?

Chyz*:

Beaf, Gbawe is right. We all know this,including you. You dont need to keep supporting blindly. State police like I was suggesting in my first post does not mean control will be left to the governors.

Sharrap!
I prefer to have state police, but Nigeria is not yet ready for it. Boko haram is the stark example of what politicians can do to intimidate their opponents and cow the masses, not to talk of if they are given state police. It would be like they have been given legal assassination and brutalisation squads.

my unwavering antiPDP stance notwithstanding, I have to admit GEJ got it right here.

in this violently fragmented, politically neonatal society like ours, a state police is just what we need to hasten the move towards eventual disintegration.

furthermore, it all boils down funding, no?

Where will the States, a majority of them teetering towards bankruptcy, get the funds from?

only the other day some banks in one the western states had to shut down activities and threatened not to reeopen until something urgently was done to arrest the unrelenting attacks on their premises

the guv'nor's response? something like security is very capital intensive(NEWSFLASH!!) and that he has spent lot but would call for greater public partnership, blah, blah. . .

bottom line, it wudn't work.

now,
guys imagine that ohakim was in full control of imo state police during the april elections!
Do the connection in your brain and guess where Rochas would be now!?

He is right

Lets face it:

We introduce State Police and they become regional legalized militia and speed up the break-up process. This is our worst fear, right ?

Listen, there is nothing to fear. The system must purge itself one way or the other. We disintegrate and each region goes its way.

Thats hard truth and it will come to pass some day, if not now it will be there after. Why delay the union.

Can we nw conclude dat nigeria cant have a state police becos nigeria wont change overnight. D level of corruption and abuse of power by our politicians doesnt make state police a gud idea.
D system is bad but is govt ready 2 addres d prblm, NO.
Yes d police wont be unda d control and command of d governors but is d police cheif a man of integrity dat wont be influenced? D govt nid 2 find a way of reducin corruption level and abuse of power.

Funny! Controlled by people in power? Must state police be controlled the governors? If what you have now isn't working then the smart thing would be to try something new. How bout taking a leaf from the structures put in place by the U.S. concerning state police.

Right! since what we have at this point is not yielding desired result why don't we give a state police a try by giving them limited power and try to checkmate them every now and then until they are matured fully rather than wallow in our old ways.

frankcimc:

Right! since what we have at this point is not yielding desired result why don't we give a state police a try by giving them limited power and try to checkmate them every now and then until they are matured fully rather than wallow in our old ways.

if this is how you run your business i bet you are going bankrupt ASAP!

The only problem is the integrity of state police. The possibility of being tools of oppression and violent partisan politics is too great. Imagine those pogroms in the North being assisted by state police.

If its well trained and well funded, it could be extremely useful. But unlike other countries, esp the developed ones, the history of community police has always been there. Its like a sacred institution. Maybe Nigeria is not destined for it. Our divisive history doesnt help either.

The federal police should simply be doubled, tripled.

GEJ is absolutely right on this. nigeria is not even about to be ready for state policing. we all know it! if u call him weak, what about the strong leaders? what have been their accomplishments?? jokes apart, he may have a better economic plan the way i see it. only time will tell.

if this is how you run your business i bet you are going bankrupt ASAP!

I think Nigeria is bankrupt already there is no need to entertain any fear of bankruptcy.