Senator's Shock Rejection: State Police Bill Under Fire Amid 'Suspicious Timing'

Senator Garba Musa Maidoki, representing Kebbi South Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly, has voiced strong opposition to the proposed State Police Bill currently under consideration. Speaking on Channels Television's Politics Today, Senator Maidoki expressed significant skepticism regarding the bill's potential to effectively address Nigeria's escalating security challenges, further suggesting that the timing of its introduction is suspicious.

Maidoki clarified that his opposition is not directed at the fundamental concept of state policing itself, but rather stems from profound concerns about the manner in which the proposal is being handled and a deep-seated lack of confidence in Nigeria's capacity to adequately implement its existing legal frameworks. He critically pointed out Nigeria's historical pattern of enacting laws and policies that subsequently suffer from poor or non-existent implementation.

To illustrate his point, the lawmaker referenced the Electoral Act, which was intended to solidify adherence to the rule of law in elections. However, he lamented the outcomes of the primaries, stating, "When we did the Electoral Act, we thought we had nailed the point that would make Nigeria a follower of the law. But unfortunately, everybody knows what happened at the primaries." He further questioned the trustworthiness of state institutions, highlighting the pervasive issue where opposition parties, regardless of their popularity, consistently fail to win local government elections. "There is no state where any opposition, no matter how strong you are or how much people like you, will win a local government election. Tell me, how do we trust these people?" he queried.

Senator Maidoki reiterated that the principles underpinning state policing are not inherently flawed. However, he adamantly insisted that Nigeria must first demonstrate its ability to robustly enforce existing laws and constitutional arrangements before embarking on new ones. "The principles in themselves are not bad. But what we are saying is, we have laws; let's practise what we have first so that we can see the difference and identify the gaps. Whatever is in the law today has no meaning because it has not been practised," he asserted, emphasizing the need for practical application and evaluation of current laws.

Beyond the substantive issues, the senator also heavily criticized the legislative process surrounding the bill. He expressed dismay that lawmakers were only provided with the extensive 146-page draft a mere few hours before it was slated for consideration. He stressed that proper legislative practice dictates that after public hearings, stakeholders who made presentations should be shown the draft to ensure their views have been accurately captured. "This bill was given to us today, and in less than 24 hours it will be passed. Good practice requires that after public hearings, the draft should be shown to stakeholders who made presentations so they can see whether their views were captured," Maidoki stated. He further accused the process of being exclusionary, noting, "The only people who have this document are members of the National Assembly, and we received it today. Whether you like it or not, it will be passed at second reading."

Finally, Senator Maidoki delivered a scathing indictment of lawmakers, accusing them of frequently prioritizing personal or specific group interests over the broader national interest. "I have come to the conclusion that every law the National Assembly has made was designed to meet the interests of specific individuals or specific interests, not Nigeria. It is a shame in a community of civilised nations that a 146-page bill can be rushed through in this manner," he concluded, highlighting his profound disappointment with the state of legislative affairs.