Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Navy, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, has criticised opposition leaders for questioning the timing of the proposed creation of state police instead of focusing on its potential to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television on Tuesday, Gagdi took aim at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, accusing them of linking the state police initiative to the 2027 general election rather than assessing its security benefits.

He argued that with insecurity escalating across the country, political leaders should prioritise measures that can protect lives and property instead of debating when such reforms are introduced.

Gagdi noted that while he had previously opposed state policing, the constitutional framework currently before the National Assembly contains safeguards that address his earlier concerns.

According to him, the proposed legal framework prevents governors from unilaterally appointing or removing state police commissioners. Instead, governors would nominate candidates to the Federal Police Council, which would determine their suitability for appointment.

He said the provisions were designed to ensure transparency, reduce political interference and protect commissioners from arbitrary dismissal by state governors.

The lawmaker stressed that the proposed state police system would complement, not replace, the Nigeria Police Force, adding that it would strengthen the country’s security architecture by increasing the number of policing institutions and encouraging greater investment in security by subnational governments.

Gagdi also questioned why opposition figures were focused on the timing of the proposal despite widespread acknowledgment of Nigeria’s security challenges, insisting that efforts to improve public safety should take precedence over political considerations.