The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has warned that the proposed state police system could be abused for political purposes ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sowore raised the concern on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, saying the timing of the proposed reform was wrong given that the country was approaching an election year.

The activist and publisher argued that introducing state police months before a major election could create opportunities for political interference and undermine the credibility of the electoral process.

“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,” Sowore said.

He said state policing was a major constitutional and structural change that required extensive public debate rather than a rushed process.

“To now insert state policing, a very 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,” he added.

Sowore’s position comes as the Federal Government intensifies efforts towards establishing a new policing framework, with President Bola Tinubu supporting moves to accelerate the process.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, had earlier disclosed that the draft national policing bill was expected to be presented to Tinubu for approval as part of ongoing reforms.

Sowore, however, argued that Nigerians had not been given enough opportunity to debate the proposed system and make contributions before decisions were reached.

He said rushing the process could create problems, especially because of concerns over how state governors might use the powers that come with controlling local security structures.

The AAC presidential candidate questioned whether governors could be trusted with such authority, warning that state police could become a tool in the hands of powerful politicians during elections.

“Nigerian state governors are not trustworthy to be handed security personnel of this scale,” Sowore said.

He added that Nigeria must avoid a situation where state police could be controlled by political actors during the electoral period.

Calls for state police have increased in recent times amid worsening insecurity across parts of the country, with supporters arguing that state-controlled security outfits would improve response to local threats.