Atiku Camp Faults Timing Of State Police, Alleges Links To 2027 Polls

The camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has faulted the move to hurriedly establish state police services in the country, alleging that the initiative was being driven by political considerations especially for the 2027 general election.

The criticism came on Wednesday night, shortly after the Senate passed the State Police Bill during plenary as part of ongoing constitution amendment efforts.

Speaking during an interview on Channel’s Prime Time show, Atiku’s media adviser and spokesman, Paul Ibe, said while the former vice president and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate supports the concept of state policing, the timing of its implementation raises concerns.

“What Atiku Abubakar will not do in an election year is to ramp up legislation for state police because what they are trying to do is to sign this into law and give state governors that they have coerced into their party, the APC, the opportunity to recruit all of the thugs associated with them for the purposes of the 2027 election,” Ibe said.

He stressed that the opposition was not against state police in principle but questioned the timing and urgency with which the proposal was being pursued.

“We support state police, but not at this time. This is political. Why don’t they focus on critical issues? Why don’t they boost security in vulnerable communities?” he asked.

Ibe accused the Federal Government of misplacing priorities amid worsening insecurity across parts of the country, citing recent killings and kidnappings in several states.

Referring to the prosecution of activist Omoyele Sowore, he criticised what he described as the deployment of security personnel for political purposes.

“Look at what happened yesterday (Tuesday). See the deployment of troops to accompany Sowore to prison just because you are not comfortable with an individual who is speaking truth to power. Those are wastages that we have in the system. Those troops are needed where people are vulnerable and being kidnapped,” he said.

Ibe also referenced recent attacks in Plateau State, arguing that the government has failed to address persistent security challenges despite repeated assurances.

“Look at what happened in Bokkos on Sunday at midnight. About two dozen people or thereabouts have been killed, many more are in captivity. That is in Plateau State alone,” he said.

He recalled President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Plateau State in March following earlier attacks, noting that the President had pledged decisive action to halt the violence.

“That was the same state Tinubu visited in March. He stopped at the airport and couldn’t even get to the communities that were bereaved. He said, ‘this will be the last.’ 24 hours after that statement, there were more killings in the same Plateau. On Sunday night, another set of killings occurred,” Ibe stated.

He added that similar incidents had been recorded in Benue, Oyo and Kogi States, insisting that it was enough reason for President Bola Tinubu to resign from office.

“We’ve had that in Benue State, Oyo, Kogi, so what are we talking about? That is enough reason for the man, for patriotic reasons, to throw in the towel,” Paul Ibe stated.