As political parties unfold their manifestos, it becomes apparent for the electorate to deeply scrutinise these political campaign documents being reeled out to them. Truely, manifestos are suppose to be the “Bible” of politicians, from where they derive their inspiration to carry out their promises to the electorate. Afterall, manifesto is simply “a public declaration of intentions (as issued by a political party or government)”. Therefore as a bonafide Nigerian, not one that has smuggled himself into the country and is pretending to be a citizen of Nigeria. Such demeanor can only be perpetrated in a country with porous boarders like ours, where the boarders are completely unguarded, from the north to the west and even to the eastern boarders, the story are the same. Unprotected national boarder is an invitation to criminal invasion including economic sabotage which the country is currently facing. If l may add by reiterating the fact that, the present insecurity in both the northern and western part of the country whereby many communities are being attacked by bandits, are the result of unprotected boarders.
So, as a bonafide citizen, married with children plus a dependent extended family members, three major issues are paramount to me as a voter.
To me, life is sacrosanct and very important and needs to be jeolusly guarded by ensuring that there is an all round security protection. Same with my economic and social welfare. Once these are available, life would be very enjoyable.
All these cannot be achieved in an insecure environment. An environment where insecurity has become a daily front page news affair. An environment where youths are introduced to killer drugs. An environment where motor-cycle riders, commercial car drivers, students, security personels indulge in drug addiction. Unfortunately, the same drug has been found to heighten the activities of political thugs who perpetrate violence around the country. The increasing rate of illicit drug importation has further increased the level of vigilance and inter agency collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service, and the the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), and Department of State Service, (DSS) to impound several kilograms of various illicit drugs worth billions of Naira either as imported goods or where they are being stocked in warehouses around the country.
A report from the media section of the lndependent National Electoral Commission (INEC) painted a very gloomy situation ahead of the 2023 elections. According to the report.
In 2019, there were Nine political attacks in four states Osun, Bayelsa, lmo and Akwa Ibom.
In 2019 nine states, Osun,Ondo, Lagos, Abia, lmo, Cross River, Anambra, Taraba and Borno states.
While in 2021, seven states witnessed eleven political violence incidents Bandit and Boko Haram attack, EndSARS agitators and election thuggery plus several unknown gun men attacks, several vandalizations that resulted into arson.
2021 with eleven attacks and in 2020, twenty-one attacks.
These, plus the recent disclosure by former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, who raised an alarm over the proliferation of weapons in the country, saying an estimated six million arms are circulating illegally.
Surrounded by such an insecure environment that could have been effectively nib in the bud since 2002 had the country switched its security gear to decentralize the Nigeria Police. A police with a strength of over 350 000 yet it is being overwhelmed according to former Head of State while addressing security stake holders. Most countries whose populations are more than that of Nigeria like the USA, France, Germany, Australia, Britain, China etc. are practicing state police system. Even the United Nation specified that every country should recruit one police officer to man 400 people. The state police system entitles each state of the country to recruit and manage the number of police officers it can cater for, structurally and economically.
When Boko Haram insurgency was at its formative stage like the Niger Delta militancy and the lndependent people of Biafra agitators, had the affected states been operating the state police system, theier governors would have ensure that these security breaches were ninned in the bud. Each state would have adopted its own security solution to the insecurity facing them.
During a media interactive session with members of the Abia media forum (AMF) the APGA gubernatorial candidate in Abia State, Professor Gregory Ibe while responding to a security question noted that the issue of State police which was well discussed during the 2002 national conference adding that he would support the establishment of state police in Abia State. State police system is a more better way to manage and solve insecurity.
For instance, of what need is it when identified criminals operating in Kaduna or Zamfara are Hausa or Fulanis and the Force headquaters uses its might to deploy Southerner CG and Easterners who know nothing about the northern culture and language to fight the bandits. This had been some identifiable lapses in the police centralised command structure.
So, as a voter, l shall cast my vote for any of the political candidates that endorses the establishment of State police system in the country. Indeed, l shall cast my one important vote for the party that would be serious about state police. A party that would not only promise to establish state police but would ensure its total implementation. The world government has shifted away from centralization of security system also over bloated security structures are being dismantled to give way to more manageable security structures in the interest of the populace. State governments should be responsible for the security needs of their state. Adopting the state police and integrating the community policing into it would finally eradicate every iota of criminality in each state of our country.
Interestingly, even the northern and western governors had also seen the light of redemption for the country when they unianimously agreed to the establishment of state police. The gains and importance of state police system cannot be over emphasized. Apart from creating more jobs opportunities for millions of unemployed youths roaming around all the states and effectively securing each state, it would boost economic activities sequel to a secured environment. The presumption of governors abuse of the system, the fear is unnecessary for now, the house of assembly would do the needful when we cross the River. Frankly. Speaking, my vote and that of my family are for manifesto that contains the establishment of State police.