In the words of the sage, there are important limits to human relations, knowledge, awareness, technological state, economic and financial resource availability plus social and cultural exposure. Political and socioeconomic problems which are the product of human actions and reactions are not static. They change with time and place. What is a social or political problem in one society may be a norm in another. Again, what is rejected or frowned at today may be accepted and smiled at tomorrow. But often, inability to manage such differences and changing times by nations has at different times and places led to obstacles in relationships, misconceptions in politics, security and economic issues. Corruption, insecurity, community policing and restructuring are some of the typical and topical political and socioeconomic problems that have in recent years dominated not just the public space but the nation’s national discourse.
Take insecurity as an example, the nation is in dire state of strait. And as a response, individuals and groups have proffered solutions to the security threats in the country. One is the launch of the Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN), codenamed “Amotekun”, an initiative of the Southwest governors- adjudged by prominent Nigerians as a perfect way of bringing the policing arrangement close to the people in their various communities. Also the Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA), a Lagos Based non-governmental group together with other prominent Nigerians have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to create a “QUASI”—military outfits devoid of ethnic colourations. Noting that states should create their own security outfits. These proposed security arrangements should not be regional so as to remove any ethnic and tribal colouration. The states should employ the personnel and funds but under the supervision of the federal police via the States’ Commissioner of police. Such creations the group added should be given specific mandates to deal with criminal elements in the country. They however, advocated that industrialisation of the country would help to draw the youth out of criminality and criminal intentions.
The concern over security and effective policing recently resurfaced when the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of the South West Geo-Political Zone, Leye Oyebade, during his familiarisation tour of Oyo State Police Command, advised officers to key into the community policing initiative in order to reduce crime in the country. The DIG said that it is only community policing that would help to reduce crime to the barest minimum level. Perfectly a well-structured position. The police Boss’s position becomes even more appreciated and justifies the call for policing at community level.
ALSO READ: OPINION: NOT A GOOD TIME TO BE SICK IN NIGERIA
This admonition becomes even more appreciated when one recalls that about two years ago, President Muhammadu Buhari while he’s playing host to some traditional rulers from the Northern part of the country led by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, at the Presidential Villa, stated that the ongoing reform in the Police force would include recruitment of more personnel, cultivation of stronger local intelligence and networking with communities, traditional rulers and adequate training. This in specific terms according to him will include recruiting more police officers from their local government areas, where they would then be stationed in the best traditions of policing worldwide. Quoting the President “Working with the state governments; we intend to improve the equipping of the police force with advanced technology and equipment that can facilitate their work”.
From the attributes of his speech, he did not only underline the importance of such arrangement but underscores the virtues and advantages of recruiting more police officers from their local government areas, where they would then be stationed in the best traditions of policing worldwide. Precisely, this form of security architecture and community policing is amazingly the part of what the Pro-state police and nations’ restructuring advocates are demanding for –particularly as it was obvious that the vast majority of states can afford to equip their officers with the sophisticated security gadgets that Mr. President referred to above.
“We can restructure within one Nigeria context.” Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State does not favour restructuring as “panacea to the nation’s current socio-economic woes”; rather he prefers restructuring of “the national mind set” aimed at returning Nigeria to “the path of progress.”
In view of the above, I am tempted to ask; why can’t the Federal Government allow and support the creation of state police where the state Commissioners of Police will be answerable to the state governors. To further support the argument, if objective analysis can replace emotional discussion regarding state police/restructuring, one thing will definitely stand out; Nigeria has a choice, to restructure by plan or by default. As has been argued at different times and place, a planned restructuring will be collaborative, systematic, and redesign Nigeria, yet keep it whole. while a default restructuring will on its parts happen, certainly not by choice, but definitely like an uncontrolled experiment with attendant risks and indefinite outcomes.
To further arrive at the answer, there are in my view, no federal police or state police models, but there are fundamental differences between the two. While cultural and geographical homogeneity which are strong factors and advantages of state policing are lost in federal policing; state police depend on these factors and more, such as historical and friendship to keep the society orderly and without anarchy. This values no doubt makes a productive policing without disorder. And it is my belief that state governments have the capacity to fulfil this obligation.
Separate from the above position, there is no alternative to having the country restructured. The reasons are not far-fetched.
First, President Muhammadu Buhari in his campaign in 2015, promised to “Initiate action to amend the Nigerian Constitution with a view to devolving powers, duties, and responsibilities to states in order to entrench true Federalism and the Federal spirit.” To further refresh our minds on this topic, what the masses are saying and yearning for, in my understanding is that the padding of the second schedule of the exclusive legislative list, (of our 1999 constitution) with sixty-eight (68) items has made Abuja suffer ‘political obesity’ and need to shed some weight via power devolution. What the people are saying is that, the over blotted exclusive list has made our nation to currently stand in an inverted pyramid shape with more powers concentrated at the top and the base not formidable enough making collapse inevitable if urgent and fundamental steps are not taken.
What the proponents of restructuring are saying is that majority of the items are too trivial for the Federal Government to handle and should serve the greater good of the people if left in the hands of both the state and the local government. This is the hub of the masses expectation.
Items such as; Police and some government security services, mines and minerals; including oil fields, oil mining geological surveys, control of parks, stamp duties, public holidays, taxation of incomes, profits and capital gains, and insurance among others in my view should find their ways back to the states and the local councils.
Restructuring the nation will no doubt take care of community policing.
*** Jerome-Mario Utomi is with the Social and Economic Justice Advocacy (SEJA)-a Lagos Based Non-Governmental Organization.
