Prince Matthew Agu, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, has expressed his strong opposition to the decentralization of the Nigeria police force.
He believes that the growing clamor for state police in Nigeria will only lead to disaster and violent communal conflicts.
Speaking to journalists in Enugu, Agu, who was a former deputy governorship candidate of the Action Congress, argued that Nigeria is not yet ready for a decentralized policing system, especially considering the current state of weak democratic institutions in the country.
According to Agu, before the idea of state police can be entertained, there needs to be a comprehensive and conscious effort to educate and raise awareness about nationalism and citizenship among Nigerians.
He emphasized that the perception of Nigeria by its citizens should go beyond personal gain and self-aggrandizement. Agu believes that the focus should be on the democratization of institutions and the promotion of conscious education on nationalism.
Read Also: APC Guber Candidate Okpebholo Slams Obaseki’s New Minimum Wage as ‘Greek Gift
Drawing from his personal experience, Agu highlighted a specific incident in Enugu where the intervention of a higher hierarchy of the police prevented a potentially bloody communal war. He claimed that the Enugu State police command mishandled a situation in Obollo-Afor due to a mere phone call from a former governor.
Agu argued that if a state police force were to be established in the current state of affairs in Nigeria, it would only lead to a conflagration of civil unrest that could surpass even a civil war.
Agu further criticized the lack of fidelity in the management of existing state institutions at the national, state, and local government levels.
He pointed out that there is a need for the democratization of institutions in line with the democratic principles practiced in other democratic countries.
As an example, he mentioned how former US President Donald Trump appointed the Mail director, believing he could manipulate the appointee to serve his own interests. In summary, Prince Matthew Agu strongly opposes the decentralization of the Nigeria police force and the establishment of state police.
He argues that Nigeria is not yet ready for such a system due to weak democratic institutions and the lack of education and awareness on nationalism.
Agu believes that the focus should be on democratizing institutions and promoting conscious education on nationalism before considering the idea of state police.
He warns that the current state of affairs in Nigeria would only lead to disastrous consequences if state police were to be implemented.
