The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governors cried out over Nigeria’s security challenges, and called for state police as solution to the problem.
The said , the present police structure should be decentralised to give way for state police across the country
The PDP governors spoke in Jos, Plateau State capital on Thursday when they visited the Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang at the Rayfield Government House.
The visit was sequel to the violence and killings by gunmen in the state.
Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Governor, Bala Muhammed of Bauchi State, who spoke on their behalf, said, “We are just being very honest with ourselves. We are not just indicting unreasonably the Nigerin police or the security agents as they are doing their best, but certainly, the ratio between citizens to policing is very low and the states know the peculiarities of their states and local governments and their towns and villages and even the crisis of community crisis and others.
“So we have always been advocating. There is no dissent between the governors and the National level but we need to get some decentralisation of the security apparatus so that we can enhance good governance by having good state police.”
“And again, that would allow us to engage the structure, the security agencies to train our youths and also make sure the rules of engagement are not abused; there are no extrajudicial killings, and so on.
“We will work in tandem with established practice, globally rather than just be forced to be doing vigilante. Even on the vigilante, we’re doing our best to make sure we involve the security agencies, but we are still being accused. We are copying from Amotekun.
“We have seen what happened in Zamfara, in Katsina and other places. This is good to go because Nigerians want to sleep with their two eyes closed and the PDP, as a party, has always ensured good governance as our governor of Plateau said.
“We have no option other than to show the difference between beans and rice. That’s what we are trying to do to – make sure we bring projects and programmes, good governance with the little resources we have, even though we may not get special intervention, but we are doing best with the least that we have.”
According to the governor, members have come to commiserate with him and the people of Plateau over the security challenges being experienced.
“We have come to register our sympathy to you over the crisis you have been confronted with and to also commend your excellent handling of the situation, despite the court battles you had to handle.
“Nigerians want to sleep with their eyes closed and go about their normal duties peacefully, that is why we’re calling on the Federal Government to up its game by considering the establishment of State Police in the country.
Muhammed said that the PDP governors would continue to stand by him to enable him to overcome the situation.
“And so we’re donating the sum of N100 million in support of the victims of these unfortunate incidents, knowing that you are an accommodating governor who values inclusiveness with the understanding that Plateau State is home to all,” the chairman added.
Mutfwang appreciated the PDP Governors for the visit and their kind gesture which he said the people of Plateau State would remain grateful.
He said the people of the state had suffered so much because of insecurity, saying that his administration would continue to do its best to address the challenge and also provide good governance in the interest of the people who voted him into power.
