By Adebayo Obajemu
The Movement for Improved Welfare for Nigeria Police Force (MIWNPF) has called on President Bola Tinubu not to give assent to the controversial State Police Bill, saying that the National Assembly passed the proposed legislation without public debate, stakeholder engagement, or input from leading civil society organisations that have long championed police reform and citizens’ security in Nigeria.
In a press statement released on August 4, 2026, and signed by its National Coordinator, Toyin Raheem Prince, the group noted that the process leading to the passage of the bill as “an affront to over 200 million Nigerians,” insisting that a law with far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s security architecture should not have been enacted without extensive public participation.
According to MIWNPF, the proposed legislation is expected to be transmitted to President Tinubu for presidential assent, but the organisation urged the President to reject the bill until Nigerians and relevant stakeholders are given an opportunity to debate its provisions.
The statement read, “The Movement for Improved Welfare for Nigeria Police Force (MIWNPF) is aware that a bill for the creation of state police is about to be transmitted to Mr President by the National Assembly.
“We are alarmed that this Bill was processed with no public debate, no stakeholder engagement, and no input from the very organisations that have spent years working on police reform and citizens’ security in Nigeria.”
The organisation said it was excluded from the legislative process alongside several prominent civil society groups actively involved in security sector reforms.
Among the organisations listed were the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAC), Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN), CLEEN Foundation, Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Campaign for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (CCHR), Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), Centre for People’s Defence (CPD), Campaign for Democracy and Justice (CDJ), United Action for Democracy (UAD), Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Coalition Against Corruption and Bad Governance (CACOBAG), Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM), Nigeria Democratic Security Coalition (CNDSRC), and several others.
The group questioned why such organisations were not invited to make submissions before lawmakers.
“No public hearing was called. How can a law that will affect the security architecture of over 200 million Nigerians be passed in this manner?” the group asked.
MIWNPF argued that Nigeria is currently not prepared for the establishment of state police, warning that the proposed structure could easily be abused by state governors for political purposes.
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