By Vincent Ujumadu
Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has intensified the national debate on state police, arguing that the issue is no longer whether it should be established but how it should be implemented effectively.
Speaking at a town hall meeting on state police organised by Arise News TV, Soludo said the ongoing reforms to Nigeria’s federal structure under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not come as a surprise.
He recalled that Tinubu, while serving as Governor of Lagos State, consistently advocated greater devolution of powers to sub-national governments and a more functional federal system. According to Soludo, the President has long demonstrated a commitment to federalism.
The governor maintained that state police should not be viewed in isolation but as part of broader reforms needed to strengthen Nigeria’s security and justice systems.
“State police need to be seen in the context of the unfinished business towards a sustainable security and justice system,” he said.
Soludo noted that although more responsibilities have gradually been devolved to state governments, the country’s revenue allocation formula has not been adjusted to reflect those changes.
He also highlighted the need for judicial reforms, particularly to address delays in the administration of justice caused by the highly centralised judicial system.
Using Anambra State as an example, Soludo said land disputes account for a significant number of court cases, with some lasting between 30 and 40 years.
He argued that matters such as land administration should be handled entirely at the state level, stressing the need for reforms that align with the ongoing devolution of responsibilities.
“I don’t understand why the issue of land should go beyond the state. The conversation should go towards a more sustainable federal structure,” he said.
