Yusuf Gagdi, the representative for Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency in Plateau State’s House of Representatives, has firmly expressed his stance against the establishment of state police forces, while simultaneously endorsing the concept of localized policing.
During a recent engagement with his constituents in Kanam, following renewed bandit attacks, Gagdi voiced his disagreement with the push for state police-a campaign strongly advocated by Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang.
He elaborated on his viewpoint by stating:
“From my perspective, including my contributions on the House floor, the creation of state police would likely lead to governors exploiting these forces to suppress political adversaries rather than ensuring public safety.
“This is a conviction I hold firmly, without fear of misinterpretation or political backlash. Nigeria is currently unprepared for the expansion of security agencies. Instead, the focus should be on bolstering existing institutions-adequately funding the police, military, and Department of State Services, while enforcing strict accountability,” Gagdi emphasized.
In a subsequent national television interview, he reiterated his concerns, highlighting that his resistance to state police stems from the potential misuse of such forces by governors during electoral processes.
“Can you name a single state governor who has overseen elections where opposition candidates secured even a small fraction of local legislative seats?
“In fact, across all states, including those governed by my party, the APC, opposition victories at the local government level are virtually nonexistent.
“This suggests that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the federal level is more impartial and transparent than state electoral bodies.”
Gagdi further warned that arming state police would empower governors to intimidate and target political opponents.
“If governors cannot fairly manage state electoral commissions, how can they be trusted with control over armed units equipped with weapons like AK-47s?
“My opinion is clear: if they manipulate electoral bodies to exclude opposition and manipulate outcomes, entrusting them with state police is a dangerous proposition.”
He also voiced apprehension about the concentration of armed authority in the hands of governors, cautioning against potential abuses.
“Consider how a governor might wield state police powers. If given civil authority to oversee elections, they might use it coercively; imagine the consequences if granted military power.”
However, in a recent radio discussion in Jos, Hon. Gagdi introduced a nuanced perspective by advocating for community policing initiatives. He supports recruiting local youths into vigilante groups, equipping them to safeguard their neighborhoods, given their intimate knowledge of the local environment.
According to Gagdi, these community-based vigilante groups would be more accountable to their immediate communities rather than to state governors, making them a more effective security solution than state police.
Known for his substantial financial support to vigilante organizations across Plateau State, Gagdi recently contributed N30 million to such groups within his constituency. Despite these efforts, security challenges persist, particularly in the Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam area he represents.
0 Comments