President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said Nigeria is not yet ripe enough for the creation of state police as it will be abused by governors and thereby worsen the security situation.
Jonathan said this in Abuja at the opening of the 52nd annual general conference of the Nigeria Bar Association, which however canvassed a contrary opinion.
NBA president Joseph Daudu had at the start of the event made a strong case for the creation of state police to address the security challenges in the country.
But President Jonathan disagreed, saying state police will be abused by governors, whom he said had been manipulating local government elections.
"We also feel that looking at the federal level and the way the governors are handling elections in their state with the state electoral commission, where opposition parties hardly win even councillorship elections.
"So, if there is state police and the governors manipulate their state police the way they are manipulating their state electoral commissions, the instability that it will create even what we are witnessing will be a child's play," Jonathan said.
State governors, through the Nigerian Governors Forum, have been at the forefront of agitation for state police. But their ranks broke weeks ago when the Northern governors announced opposition to the idea. Also, former inspectors-general of police have warned against the creation of state police on the grounds that it will be abused by the governors.
Jonathan yesterday related a story of how as deputy governor and later as governor of Bayelsa State he thought of canvassing for a state police but was convinced by Council of State members to shelve the idea for the moment.
"There was a time we (in Bayelsa) were frustrated and we felt that we should have our police, that we would be able to manage criminality in our state better because of our local environment," he said.
"Police from other parts of the country find it difficult to go into the waters. But for us who were born inside the water, even in the night we can enter ordinary canoe to go to anywhere and we felt that if we have our local police it will be better for us because our police can reach everywhere in our state.
"But when I discussed the issue of state police with former presidents before a State Council meeting, they said it's a good idea, that probably one day we'll get to there. And that is the emphasis I want to make: one day we'll get to that point. But presently we have to be careful on how we go about it."
The president added: "Experiments have been made. There was a time when the police came up with a policy that police officers from the rank of inspector and below should be posted to their states of origin as a way of testing whether police familiar with the environment will make changes.
"But it was realised that when police officers from the rank of inspector down were posted to their state of origin, it was worst off to manage the situation so the police had to discontinue that policy.
"We also feel that looking at the federal level and the way the governors are handling elections in their state with the state electoral commission, where opposition parties hardly win even councillorship elections.
"So, if there is state police and the governors manipulate their state police the way they are manipulating their state electoral commissions, the instability that it will create even what we are witnessing will be a child's play."
Jonathan also spoke on the criticism against his administration, saying he would prove critics wrong by 2013 when the dividends of new policies introduced begin to manifest.
"I think I am then most criticised president in the whole world, but I tell this noble audience that before I leave, I will also be the most praised president," he said.
"I have experienced that before in my governor journey in Bayelsa state. In fact, people who were close to me will tell you that even after the election, I told them that in my first 12 months please cover your ears because you will hear all kinds of things. But as we progress, you will see (changes).
"We are working very hard to stabilise power. We are working very hard to resurface our roads. We have security challenges, which we are also working very hard to bring to reasonable control.
"It is not easy; we don't have the magic wand, except the miracle worker that with the wave of the hand, probably will help to throw all these challenges away and prosperity will appear. But in pure governance issues, it takes time.
"Sometimes, even people who have held offices in government criticise me to the extent of personal abuses. Sometimes I ask, were there roads across in the country and Jonathan brought flood to wipe out these roads? or we had power and I brought hurricane to break down the entire infrastructure?
"If they say Boko Haram is because of poverty; were there massive irrigation projects in the North where agriculture can thrive and massive farms, and Jonathan brought drought to wipe out these farms? under two years is it possible?
"Well, time will tell. What I can tell Nigerians is that let those who criticize continue to criticise. We will do our best and as we progress, Nigerians will know the truth and we'll see that we are committed and will surely transform this country."
Also speaking at the event, Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole said, "I am not for state police. If created, it would become instruments of state powers."
But Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha disagreed, saying: "States should have police."
Earlier, NBA president Daudu had advocated state policing and called for the devolution of the power of the office of the President for the country to achieve peace, security and economic progress.
"It is sad that former IGs are viewing it from their protectionist angle. Insufficient police is affecting 98 percent of the population. It should not be compulsory for states not interested. The bar strongly recommends to you state police," he said.
Guest speaker at the conference, Rev. Matthew Kukah, berated the media for portraying Nigeria in bad light using negative reportage, which he said, could discourage investors.
Kukah, a Catholic priest, in a speech titled: ``Nigeria, an Emerging Democracy'', agreed with former CBN Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, that Nigeria was an economic miracle waiting to happen.
He said for the national miracle to happen, the political class needed to be creative by initiating programmes that would win the trust and commitment of the followership.
Daily Trust