Amid rising security concerns across Nigeria, the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) has expressed its full support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strategies to restore national peace and stability.
The forum also urged subnational governments to scale up community policing efforts and begin serious consideration of state police as a viable long-term solution to the country's worsening security challenges.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja on Wednesday, after a marathon closed-door meeting that lasted over three hours, Imo State Governor and PGF Chairman, Hope Uzodimma, revealed that governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were united in their commitment to supporting the President’s security agenda.
“We are fully aligned with the President’s vision and efforts to address the security issues plaguing our country,” Uzodimma stated. “Security is a shared responsibility, and as governors, we are ready to intensify local initiatives and explore innovative solutions like state policing.”
Hyacinth Alia’s Call for State Police Gains Traction
The forum’s position follows a strong appeal made earlier in the week by Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, who, during a high-level stakeholder engagement with President Tinubu in Makurdi, urged the Federal Government to support the establishment of state police units.
“Let me also reiterate my firm support for the establishment of state police as a sustainable solution to the persistent insecurity in our state and perhaps elsewhere,” Alia declared.
While acknowledging the valid concerns raised about potential abuse of such powers at the state level, Governor Alia proposed that the Federal Government develop clear regulatory frameworks and state-specific guidelines to ensure accountability, professional conduct, and transparency in the management of any future state police system.
Governor Uzodimma confirmed that the PGF was open to Alia’s proposal and that internal consultations were ongoing to assess the feasibility, legal implications, and funding structures necessary for implementing such a security model.
Emergency NGF Meeting Signals National Concern
In a related development, governors from all 36 states, under the umbrella of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), held an emergency meeting on Wednesday at the NGF Secretariat in Abuja. Though the agenda was not officially disclosed, the presence of National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, indicated that the deteriorating security situation was at the center of the discussions.
Sources familiar with the meeting told Channels TV that governors voiced deep concern over the increasing frequency of rural attacks, abductions, banditry, and the overall ineffectiveness of conventional security forces in responding swiftly to emerging threats.
Nationwide Security Anxiety Mounts
The back-to-back meetings reflect a growing sense of urgency among political leaders as public anxiety deepens over the relentless wave of insecurity, particularly in the North Central and North West regions. Recent mass killings, kidnappings, and attacks on communities have triggered renewed calls for structural reforms in the nation’s security architecture.
President Tinubu’s visit to Benue State, where he met with traditional rulers, stakeholders, and political leaders, has also reinforced the need for joint efforts between federal and state authorities in crafting sustainable responses to the security crisis.
A Turning Point for Security Reforms?
Analysts suggest that the increasing alignment among federal and state actors — particularly within the ruling APC — around proposals like state policing could signal a turning point in Nigeria’s internal security policy. While the path to constitutional amendments and legislative backing remains complex, growing political consensus may help expedite necessary reforms.
As the country continues to grapple with threats ranging from terrorism and banditry to communal violence, the decisions made in these meetings could shape the security trajectory heading into the 2027 general elections and beyond.
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