Respected Nairalanders and guests here reading,

As you are aware, as part of our efforts to raise the intellectual bar of of political discussions on Nairaland - Nigeria's largest and most successful online forum - we decided to introduce monthly political platform to discuss topical political issue.

The maiden edition, which attracted positive feedbacks, held in October and it took the form of a debate. The topic was, '1914 Amalgamation: A historical mistake?', where Katsumoto took on Obinoscopy. See thread here: https://www.nairaland.com/1081002/1914-amalgamation-historical-mistake-nairaland

November edition is not going to be a debate per se, but a dialogue.

We hereby present the procedure:

TOPIC: STATE POLICE - IS NIGERIA READY FOR IT?

DISCUSSANTS

1, DEEPSIGHT: Deepsight is a well known Nairalander who dwells more in the religion section. But he is willing to demonstrate that, though some of Nairalanders hardly frequent politics section, they are no less cerebral and knowledgeable in political matters than the regular politics section contributors. He brings flair and suspense to the 'talkshow'. He will be convincing us that Nigeria is indeed ripe for state police

2,HNOSEGBE: Hnosegbe is not a dark horse. He is a veteran in political discussions on Nairaland. But how will he fare in a moderated discussion? We can't wait.

3, CHEDDARKING: Cheddarking pulled out of last month's debate at the last minute. We hope that wont happen again this month. He is also not an unknown quantity here. We expect him to bring candour to the show.
4, JAAIZTECH Jaaiz joined in the last minute and has shown willingness to give a good showing. He is a regualr member of this section. He is arguing against state police


MODERATOR
This month edition being a discussion, a dialogue, rather than a debate, we have created the role of a moderator, and it has been thrown at Katsumoto. Katsumoto, for those who are not aware, won the last edition of the debate, He has also been a well respected voice on Nairaland Politics section for many years now. The role of a moderator is to call attention to points/issues raised by the discussants,emphasize where necessary, ask neutral questions. We all know what a moderator does in a talk.

CHAIRMAN
Seun
CEO of Nairaland

COORDINATORS
OAM4J, Jarus

JUDGES
Subject to availability at debate time, any 5 of:
1, Cooger
2, Sisiskill
3, Ajanlekoko
4, Eziachi
5, PhysicsQed
6, E-guerilla
7, Ibime
8, Ogugua88
9, Londoner
10,Edogirl

Discussions on planning go on here: https://www.nairaland.com/1068413/nairaland-monthly-political-debate-planning/24

For a glimpse of October edition: https://www.nairaland.com/1081002/1914-amalgamation-historical-mistake-nairaland#12722959

JUDGING CRITERIA(4 marks each)
1,Presentation(opening, flow, closing, response to questions)

2, Logic of arguments

3, Strenght of facts, examples, cases

4, Persuasiveness

5N Demonstration of knowledge and understanding of the subject

DIALOGUE PROCEDURE
17:30 – Chairman, Seun(or his rep), gives opening remarks; thread hits front page

17:45 – Discussant, moderator and judges take seats, register presence

17:50 – Coordinators, OAM4J & Jarus, declare the event open

18:00 - 16:05: Moderator gives a brief background into the topic and asks the discussants to post their presentations. He calls them in alphabetical order: CHEDDARKING first, followed by DEEPSIGHT and then HNOSEGBE

18:05 – 18:30 - Discussants post their presentation. Within 25 minutes. Better if less than 750 words to make it easier for judges to read all, but no harm making it longer. The arguments will be veiled (hidden) until after all the 4 discussants have posted theirs, so there wont be after-thoughts and modifications.

18:25 – 18:40 – The presentation-posts shall be unhidden for all, especially dicussants, moderators and judges to read and study

18:40 – 19:00 - The moderator asks the discussants to comment on the presentation of the other party, especially where he/she disagrees with. The discussants do in 15 minutes.

19:00 – 19:20 – Discussants respond to punctured areas in his earlier arguments or shed more light. He may buttress further.

19:20 – 19:40 – Judges post questions to discussants either based on what the discussants have posted or just reasonable question within the theme. Judges should be specific as to who they are posting the questions to. E.g “Mr Deepsight, could you expatiate what you meant by so so so? or Hnosegbe, pls give examples of your claim that xxxx”. This is not compulsory. A judge that doesn’t have question to post to the debaters need not do so.

19:40 – 20:00 – Debaters respond to questions raised by judges.

20:00 – 20: 20 – 3 Questions will be entertained from the audience i.e viewers. This will be based on ‘fastest hand’. The moderator will announce ‘audience, you may now ask your questions’. After the 3 questions have been posted, any other viewer-post will be hidden.

20:20 – 20:40 – Discussants respond to audience questions.

20:40 - 20:45 - Moderator asks the discussants to give a final shot i.e parting words. Ite may or may not be on this topic. It may be something like 'Thank you gentlemen for your insightful presentations, just a quick one before we round up, what advice will you like to give the current admistration on security?'

20:45 – 21:00 - Discussants give their parting shots.

While that is going on, judges compile the scores and mail to coordinators: oam4J@yahoo.com and jarusnairaland@yahoo.com

21:00 – 21: 20 Coordinators announce results. Thread thrown open for regular Nairaland discussion.

Preparation and all that is currently going on here. You may wish to contribute
https://www.nairaland.com/1068413/nairaland-monthly-political-debate-planning/24

Judges and discussants should please confirm their availabilty again. Time is 5:45pm Nigeria time. Go confirm at the planning thread.

Proceeding is starting now.

We await the Chairman (or his rep) to give opening remarks.

Pls and pls, again. Only coordinators, discussants, judges, moderator of the event, and of course Admin and Supermods (f need be) are allowed to post on this thread.

Others are only to watch. When it's time for audience to contribute we shall announce.

Judges, moderator, and discussants should pls register their presence. Afameva is standing in for PhysicsQED as a judge.

Katsumoto registering.

Good day to the Chairperson, panel of judges, debaters, and Nairalanders. I will be moderating today’s dialogue, which is about State Police – Is Nigeria Ready for it?

Nigeria currently has a Federal Police Force, which is run by an Inspector General appointed by the President.
Many nations such as the US, Brazil, and Australia have state Police Forces. These State Police Forces are responsible for enforcing state laws, protection of lives and property within the state, etc. There has been a clamour for the various states to have their own forces. The president of the National Bar Association recently advocated for the introduction of State Police. This position was backed by some governors and opposed by the president and some other governors.

I call on the participants to present their opening arguments.
DeepSight and Hnosegbe are both arguing for State Police while Cheddarking is arguing against that motion.

The participants have 25 minutes to make their opening statements.

Debate on State Police is hereby declared open.

We hope everybody will abide by forum rules.

Enjoy!

Hello Everyone,

I would like to commence this discussion with reference to the broad history of mankind – and then a reference to the specific history of Nigeria. The reader might, I very well know, wonder what the broad history of mankind has to do with the topic at hand, but it is actually, the epicenter of the matter.

I am often at a loss as to how desperately lost many Nigerians are – politically – and specifically in terms of key political and constitutional questions – that I am forced to wonder exactly how Nigeria has somehow managed to remain in existence for the period of time that it has. I say this because, all that leads to war is injustice; all that leads to disintegration is imbalance: and all that leads to decay is inertia. My friends, injustice, imbalance and inertia are all very present and alive in Nigeria today. At all events, I must return swiftly to the relevance of the broad history of mankind to the discussion at hand.

Broad History of Mankind - Relevance.

It is today generally accepted scientific thought that mankind originated in Africa, and this is confirmed by the broad tracing of the genetic information amongst the races of mankind. In layman’s terms, it suffices to say that given that the larger portion of mankind’s history was spent in Africa in terms of the early stages of mankind’s development, the genetic information discloses that on account of that origin, history, and greater period of breeding, the peoples on the African Continent have by far the greatest genetic diversity on the face of the Planet.

Before I proceed, I verify this statement from research as follows -
“The research showed that there is more human genetic diversity in Africa than anywhere else on Earth. The genetic structure of Africans was traced to 14 ancestral population clusters and the ancestral origin of humans was determined to probably be located in southern Africa, near the border of Namibia and South Africa.
Human genetic diversity decreases in native populations with migratory distance from Africa and this is thought to be the result of bottlenecks during human migration, which are events that temporarily reduce population size.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_genetic_variation

As such, (and although I do not need the foregoing to prove the point – bus specifically use it to avoid dispute) it is evident that Africans are the most genetically differentiated peoples on the planet Earth. This differentiation has extended into culture, language, religion and virtually every aspect of human existence under the sun.
Language, for example. Virtually the whole of Western Europe is tied at the neck in terms of origin of language.

In fact, I make so bold as to say that the principal European languages – French, English, Spanish, and Italian – can all be referred to as different dialects of the same language – LATIN. The significance of this may at first be lost on the inattentive reader. The significance of this is that there is greater linguistic and cultural diversity within the Nigerian Space alone, than there is in the whole of Europe.
And yet, Europe is divided into many nations, and has a history of great wars and divisions.

Returning to the broad history of mankind, what this means is that the European Colonialist in conquering African colonies, merged together swathes of land which were the dwelling places of peoples far more genetically, linguistically and culturally divided than the whole of Europe. Nigeria alone, represents one such case, which discloses a greater ethnic, linguistic, cultural and genetic diversity, than do all the nations of Europe put together.

That is why in terms of countries and languages there is France and French. England and English. Italy and Italian. Spain and Spanish. Portugal and Portuguese. And all of these languages like I earlier said, are derived from Latin, and share most words in common, and seen from the broad perspective of human linguistics, are in fact really merely different dialects of the same old language – Latin.

There is no Nigeria and "Nigerian" – as a language.

It thus emerges the tribes of Nigeria – in their deep seated genetic, cultural and linguistic differences, are wholly nations unto themselves, with distinguishing marks far more deeply seated that that of the entirety of Western Europe.

And it is with this in mind that we must now come to the specific History Nigeria in furthering this discussion.

Specific History of Nigeria – Re: Police.

In recognition of the key distictions within the Nigeria Space, the departing British Colonialists bequeathed a Federal System in which the majority of internal powers rested with the initial three federating units of the North, West and Eastern Regions. In the structure that obtained at Independence, every region had its Independent Police Force and the heads of these Police Forces were responsible to the Premier of the respective region.

Without much ado, I quote as follows –

“The debate on whether or not to have state police has resurfaced and it seems it will not end. Before 1966, each of the four regions — North, Mid-West, West and East — had its own regional police and regional police commissioners. There was also the Nigerian Police Force and of course, Inspector-General of Police.

The regional police commissioners were all under the Premiers of the regions, while the Prime Minister directed the IG. There were areas of conflicts, no doubt, as revealed in Section 106 of the 1963 Constitution. This manifested in the political crisis that later engulfed the western region over who controls the NPF.

Sub-section 3 of Section 106 of 1963 Constitution states that, “the Prime Minister or such other Minister of the Government of the Federation as may be authorized in that behalf by the Prime Minister may give to the Inspector-General of the Nigerian Police such directives with respect to the maintaining and securing of public safety and public order as he may consider necessary and Inspector-General shall comply with those directives or cause them to be complied with.”

Sub-section 4 of the same section 106 further states that, “Subject to the provisions of sub-section (3) of this section, the Commissioner of Police of a Region shall comply with the directives of the Premier of the Region or such other Minister of the Government of the Region as may be authorised in that behalf by the Premier with respect to the maintaining and securing of public safety and public order within the Region or cause them to be complied with.”

http://www.punchng.com/opinion/bye-bye-to-confederation/

The Article in the link above, by Eric Teniola explores in detail how Nigeria gradually evolved from a truly Federal creation into a virtual unity state in terms of the issue of Internal control of the Police. Indeed, the article does conclude against State Police, but I cite it for the purpose of referring to the genuine history of Federal Policing Structure in Nigeria.

The fact is, and remains, that, just as is the case with the question of fiscal Federalism, at Independence, we had a truly Federal system in place in terms of the principle of derivation – just as we had in terms of the Policing Structure which was regional.

And my contention in this discussion is that it must remain regional to the extent that –

1. Our cultural and linguistic differences remain acute especially in a society where predominant swathes of population remain literate only in their native tongues

2. (1) above is understandable in light of the initial point made: to wit: the vast differences that we possess ethnically, linguistically, culturally and genetically.

3. Building on (1) and (2) above, it is inconceivable that we can have the same standards or approaches in terms of crime: this is evidenced by chasms of differences such as the operation of Shariah Law in the North of Nigeria and the activity of what is already virtual State Police in the form of the Hisbah as well as the OPC vigilante groups well known in the West.

4. The groups mentioned in (3) above are unhealthy and unconstitutional developments for the reason that they exist outside the framework of our constitution. Nevertheless, their existence is a pointer to the obvious fact of our key differences in the matter of crime and law, and indeed in all other facets of life.

5. It thus only makes sense that in order to have a proper and meaningful Federation in the right sense of the word, we must have federating units that are properly empowered to pursue an internal security policy unique and suitable to their culture, linguistics and ethnic as well as social identity.

In concluding this post, I would point out that this is exactly why the Federating Units in Nigeria each have their own JUDICIARY – and it is of course preposterous to speak of a Judiciary which has no enforcement unit - to wit – it’s police.

In succeeding posts, will address further issues on the desirability and implementation of State Police. I just wished at the out set to give a broad philosophic outline as to why we must be truly federal in this matter.

CHEDDARKING Is unavoidably absent but he sent his taped presentation:

By CHEDDARKING

On the 20th of October this year, Moses Osigwe walked into the Personal Residence of Aliyu Wammako.

Moses as Business Manager of the Gwiwa Business Unit of PHCN was invited by Mr Wammako to discuss the recent dips in power supply to Mr Wammako's Hometown.

Somwhere along the line, Mr Wammako brutally assaulted Moses with a Whip. Poor Moses was beaten Black and Blue, but Mr Wammako was not satisfied- He then instructed the POLICE detail assigned to him to further infict damage to Moses's battered body.

Poor Moses was crushed physically. Mentally. Emotionally.
His Crime? He was the Business Manager of the Gwiwa Business Unit of PHCN in a state where Mr Wammako was the GOVERNOR.

Say hello to State Sponsored Police Brutality with a Personal Twist. Say hello to State Police in Sokoto


On the 21st of January 2010, a team of armed policemen arrested Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha and whisked him off to the Imo State government house. On that day, the GOVERNOR of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim alias IKIRI, decided to personally flog Ikenna.
Right there in the governor's office, IKIRI backed by his POLICE goons, stripped Ikenna half-naked and flogged the Living Daylights out of Him. Forget the Passion of the Christ, this was a full-on, one-man-jungle-justice.

Ikenna was completely destroyed.

His Crime? Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha as an anti-corruption crusader was detailing and publishing IKIRI's systematic looting of Imo State's treasury!
Say Hello Boys and Girls...

This is State Sponsored Police Brutality with a VERY personal twist. My Friends this is the State Police in Imo.


September 20, 2012, an unnamed lady was stripped NAKED by officers of the OSUN STATE SPECIAL POLICE UNIT for a great crime against Humanity.

What was this crime? Only that most grevious crime against God and Man- That most unforgivable of Iniquities:
INDECENT DRESSING
She was dressed Indecently and as so she DESERVED to be exposed NAKED to the whole world.

Step right up folks! Come see for yourselves State Police in Osun State! Can I get an AMEN?

Nigeria is a country where Criminals like James Onanefe Ibori, Diepreye Alamieyesiegha, Lucky Igbinedion, Timipre Sylva, Peter Odili, Chimaroke Nnamani are listed as ex- State Governors.

Nigeria is a country where Schizophrenic Psycopaths like Wammako and Ikiri revel in State Power; Invincible, Untouchable, and of of course 'Un-Annoyable'

Nigeria is a country where State Governors like Rotimi Amaechi, Godswill Ukpabio, and Danbaba Suntai purchase Private Jets with State Funds

Nigeria is a country where Men like Chief Lamidi Adedibu(RIP) backed by his army of NURTW thugs could walk into the House of Assemble and SEIZE the very symbol of Government Authority- the Mace. With IMPUNITY.

I'm not even going to argue against State Police:

I ask YOU esteemed Nairalanders: DO YOU WANT TO THE GIVE THESE MEN MORE POWER?

I ask YOU ALL - ARE WE READY FOR STATE POLICE?

Thank You.

Thank you very much Mukina2 (representing Seun,I suppose) and the able moderators of this discussion for providing us the platform to discuss this important issue. All other protocol duly observed.

We are here to discuss one of the most important issues in contemporary Nigeria: The need (or otherwise) for state police, specifically whether Nigeria is ready for it. I am of the opinion that we are, for reasons that are detailed below:

To be continued:

Jaaiztech, pls post your presentation within the next 3 minutes.

Acidtalk,
Meet me at the planning thread.
Thanks

Now proceeding Further.

Having laid forth a philosophic basis for the existence of regional policing in Nigeria, I would like to address the question: are we ready for it?

With respect, I must say that the question in itself looks odd to me! For it places the cart before the horse: in that it makes it appear as though this were a new and previously un-contemplated change which we seek to make - - - whereas, as is the case with the question of derivation and fiscal federalism - - - THIS is rather the ORIGINAL position that Nigeria started with at Independence, which position was violated only and I repeat ONLY by military intervention in the politics of this country.

Now, I should ask the reader: what is the nature of Military rule? It has a command structure. It admits of no deviation from the chain of command. It was thus only natural that the Military aberration in Nigeria would lead to a Unitary System of Government, completely at variance with the position at Independence and completely at variance with the self evident distinctions in genetics, linguistics, culture and social Identity within the Nigerian Space, which, as I earlier pointed out – are distinctions far deeper than those within the whole of Europe ! ! !

The first and initial question thus must be – ”Given that this unitary imposition which arose from the Military aberration in Nigeria is evidently unnatural to Nigeria – nor obtained at independence: why: as in the matter of derivation – must we insist on retaining the aberration?

The historical reasons why we do so: and the subject as to why it is false to claim that we are not ready to change such, will form the subject of my next post.

Judges for today's exercise are:

1, Sisiskill
2, Jaybee
3, Afam4eva
4, Obinoscopy
5, E-Guerilla

Judging criteria remains:
1,Presentation(opening, flow, closing, response to questions)

2, Logic of arguments

3, Strenght of facts, examples, cases

4, Persuasiveness

5, Demonstration of knowledge and understanding of the subject
4 marks each

All judges to send results to jarusnairaland@yahoo.com and oam4j@yahoo.com immediately after the debate is closed.

Section 14 (1) of the 1999 constitution provides that "the safety and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government". Given that "government" under our supposedly federal structure is comprised of the federal, state and local governments, it is an anomaly that policing, which is of course the PRIMARY avenue for guaranteeing the "safety" of the people of Nigeria has been left solely under the control of the Federal Government. It is also an anomaly that the Nigerian police structure continues to apply a central, communist-style command structure in a nation as diverse, multi-lingual and multi-cultural as we are.

The current police structure has given rise to inefficiency, corruption and a general disconnect from the average Nigerian for the very reason that in every given community, in every state, policing is being handled by people who have absolutely no knowledge of the environment, cannot speak the language, cannot relate to the people resident in those areas and are so disconnected from them that the popular inscription in a regular police station "The Police is your friend" appears more like an attempt at humour gone wrong.

To be continued:

Jarus, I have also assumed my e-seat on the planning thread

And so to the core question: Are we ready for it?

I say: why not?

There are only three realistic reasons for which any person may claim that Nigeria is not ready for regional policing and they as follows –

1. Abuse of Power – namely that the State Chief Executives may abuse their authority with respect to the command of the Police Institutions

2. Conflict of Power – namely that there could be potential competition and conflict in exercise of powers in political circles via the agency of Police Institutions.

3. Fragility and possible Federal Disintegration – namely that the existence of regional Police Forces could form a platform for the evolution of state/ regional armies which may eventually crystallize civil-war or dissolution of the Federal Republic.

Given that I have shown the philosophically genuine basis for regional policing, the only questions to be addressed in terms of this discussion are the foregoing. In my next post I shall discuss why these form no reason to dismiss the original policing structure in Nigeria – Regional Policing.

The participants may begin attacking the positions of others. With Cheddarking absent, Deepsight and Hnosegbe are encouraged to highlight the weaknesses of each others positions, even though they are arguing for the same motion. If you feel the other person arguing the same motion as you is not doing justice to your position, feel free to highlight with reasons.

It is not surprising that arrays of suggestions that could bring to an end the current security mess that we are witnessing in Nigeria today are springing up, such is the attitude when a community or society is faced with a challenge she has never witnessed in her history before.
The call for a state police to be institutionalized in Nigeria is coming from many quarters, some with good intents and many more with ulterior motives behind it. It is understandable that Nigerians lack believe in the current police force because they have failed us in many ways; but this is not a reason to throw away the current setup of the Nigerian police force.
Nigeria is a Multi-Ethnic and Religious country, our cultures are diverse but our unity is also critical. Hence the need for a Police force that represents the unity of this country cannot be over-emphasized. Lets hit the issues headlong:

My Name is Folarin, a Yoruba man from Ogun State, I live in Kaduna state in the Northern part of Nigeria, I neither speak Hausa nor Fulfude. What do you think will be my fate if I enter a dispute with a Hausa man, with the Hausa police force to be the judge Or you are an Adamu who is living in Anambra state and you enter a land dispute with a Chukwuma, and the case arrives at “Ndigbo Police Force”. What will be the fate of Adamu, whom cannot speak Igbo. Will He get a fair hearing.


Supporters of State-Police have erroneously claimed that since the state police would be made up local people, whom know a lot about their environs and can easily fish out the bad eggs. That police force will be more effective. I beg to disagree, because the failure of the Police force as it is today is not as a result of @lack of adequate intelligence@, but as a result of corruption that has crept into every facet of our life. INEC is a great example; can we by any means compare the performance of the State INEC to that of the National INEC. …. To be continued…

The current calls against state police are borne out of the collective apprehension of Nigerians from the years of military repression which have, quite unfortunately, spilled over into the current democratic dispensation and resulted in the general perception that the introduction of state policing will simply increase the misuse of policemen against real and perceived enemies. This is understandable, but we should be asking ourselves some important questions:

1. Isn't the "abuse" we refer to still being perpetrated with impunity under the current system?

2. Shouldn't we be thinking of introducing checks and balances in the policing structure to head off some of the risks identified, rather than dismissing the idea in its entirety?

Some people even aver that the current semblances of state police (e.g LASTMA in Lagos and Hisbah in Kano) are untrained, ill-mannered and undisciplined, and that they reflect what will be the general attitude of policemen if state police is introduced. I choose to look at it differently. Introduction of state police will be a new source of employment and job creation. It will also provide a wide range of business opportunities ranging from new designers and tailors of police wear, new private security and intelligence organizations, new security training organizations among others.

To be continued...