Sowunmi Advocates State Policing, Says Nigeria's Security Challenges Demand Constitutional Reforms

Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesperson, Segun Sowunmi, has renewed calls for fundamental constitutional reforms, particularly the establishment of state policing, arguing that Nigeria's current centralized security structure is no longer sufficient to address the nation's growing security challenges.

Speaking on Arise TV's Daybreak Show, Sowunmi said Nigeria's size, population growth, and diverse geographical landscape make it increasingly difficult for a single, centralized police system to effectively secure the country.

According to him, the inability to adopt a more decentralized policing framework over the years stems from a failure to recognize the limitations of the current system.

"More than ever before, we will understand that we have not been able to have a unitary police system for this long because we have not been able to understand that you cannot have a nation as big as ours, with the landmass that we have, vast forests and communities spread across different regions, while the population continues to grow every day, and expect the same structure to continue working," Sowunmi said.

He noted that Nigeria's security realities have changed significantly, making constitutional adjustments inevitable if meaningful progress is to be achieved.

Sowunmi stressed that governance structures must evolve to meet emerging challenges, adding that systems that have consistently failed to deliver desired outcomes should be reconsidered.

"What is not working cannot change itself. We must be willing to make the necessary constitutional adjustments that reflect present realities," he stated.

The former PDP chieftain also expressed sympathy for President Bola Tinubu, noting that some of the reforms required to address Nigeria's security and governance challenges involve constitutional changes that are often difficult to implement due to political and institutional constraints.

His comments come amid ongoing national debates over state policing, constitutional restructuring, and broader reforms aimed at strengthening security across the country.

Advocates of state policing argue that locally controlled police forces would be better positioned to understand community dynamics, gather intelligence, and respond swiftly to security threats. Opponents, however, have raised concerns about potential political abuse by state governments.

The conversation around state policing has gained renewed momentum in recent years as Nigeria continues to grapple with insecurity, banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities across various parts of the country.