The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has called for caution over the state police bill, insisting that the discussions should be shelved until after the 2027 general elections.

The human rights activist said the timing of the bill and deliberations about state police is coming at the wrong time, especially with the election months away.

Sowore made this remark on Tuesday, while speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.

According to him, there should be ample time for Nigerians to debate the issue and make inputs, citing the critical nature of the matter.

READ ALSO

“I would say that we wait until the elections are over. The election is a major distraction at this time — the election is months away, and everybody is going to be more interested in how to campaign, how to choose their candidates, and how to ensure the elections are free and fair.

“To now insert state policing, a very major, major constitutional change of fundamental federal structural change that could lead to structural damage or that could lead to interference with the election, is not the best time.

“That is the only issue I have with it being rushed. So when we are done with the elections, we can commence immediately with a conversation about state policing and who is where in terms of breaking down the architecture in the country.”

He added: “I also align, and I agree with those people who say this is suspicious, that this is being rushed and it’s not going through proper parliamentary procedures for the enactment of a major law like this, because this is a major constitutional change that we are going to experience.

“And that it should have been open to public debate. It should have gone across the states so that the public can make input, but we are being rushed and considering that the election year [is around the corner].”

Please follow and like us: