Senate finally pass state police bill. Now wetin?

The Senate yesterday passed the bill to establish state police in Nigeria through constitutional amendment. This is the second reading and it means the bill will now go to the House of Representatives for concurrence before it reaches the 36 state Houses of Assembly for ratification.

I have mixed feelings about this one. On paper, state police sounds like the solution to our security problems because the federal police cannot cover everywhere. But then I remember how some governors use local government funds like their personal account. Give them control of police force? You fit imagine the abuse? Zamfara governor alone fit turn state police into his personal security team.

The bill sponsor said it will help address insecurity at the grassroots level. But until we fix how we elect our governors and hold them accountable, I am not sure this is the win people think it is. Who really benefits from this in the long run?