‘Slow Down Process of State Police Creation’ – Dickson to Tinubu, Dismisses NDC Deregistration Ruling

National Leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has called on President Bola Tinubu to slow down the implementation of state police, arguing that such a major constitutional reform should be left for the next administration.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Programme Sunday Politics on Sunday with Seun Okinbaloye, Dickson said concerns raised by NDC Presidential Candidate Peter Obi over the timing of State Police were valid, particularly with the country approaching another election cycle.

“He’s right. President Tinubu should slow down the process of state police creation. Attention should be focused on fighting terrorism and insecurity. The business of implementing state police should be left for the next government,” Dickson said.

While commending the President’s efforts to decentralise policing, the former Bayelsa State governor argued that the reform should begin at the regional level before extending to the states.

“I commend the move by President Tinubu to decentralise policing, but we should also decentralise mineral rights. That’s what we call resource control. My prescription would have been to decentralise policing to the zonal levels first, then amend the Constitution to empower governors to appoint commissioners of police in collaboration with the Police Service Commission, subject to confirmation and oversight by their respective Houses of Assembly,” he added.

Dickson also dismissed reports suggesting that the NDC had been deregistered, insisting that the party remained legally recognised despite a court ruling.

“The NDC has not been deregistered as a party. In fact, thousands of Nigerians have been flocking to our website to register as members of our party,” he stated.

He described the court’s decision as legally flawed, maintaining that the ruling was delivered by a court that had become functus officio.

“Every action behind the deregistration ruling is embarrassing,” Dickson said.

In the 2027 presidential election, Dickson responded to claims by the ruling APC that it would easily defeat the NDC.

“They can only beat us silly in a contest. Let’s have a free and fair contest,” he said.

When asked whether he was referring to election rigging, Dickson replied that his immediate concern was the political environment.

“I’m not even talking about that yet. The APC shouldn’t constrict the political space. Let the ADC, NDC, APM, LP and PDP be on the ballot,” he said.

Dickson maintained that a level playing field and credible elections remain essential for strengthening Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.