The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Ajibola Basiru, on Thursday, said he supported the creation of state police.
This was as he equally charged the Executive arm of the Government to champion constitutional obedience, the Legislature to enhance its oversight, the Judiciary to guard its independence and the citizens to conscientiously demand transparency and accountability.
Dr Basiru who was the spokesperson and Chairman of the 9th Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, stated this while delivering a paper at the 4th Distinguished Personality Lecture of the College of Law, Osun State University.
Speaking on the theme; Democratic Governance, National Security and the Rule of Law, the APC scribe said democracy, security and the rule of law interweave and are mutually reinforcing, stressing that effective interplay of the three is crucial for a stable State.
He explained that democratic governance provides the mechanism for legitimate authority while the rule of law ensures the exercise of the authority is just and accountable.
Basiru also said national security is the necessary condition for the political community to thrive, adding that the civil society, the media and citizens all have roles to play in security accountability.
He explained that a single, federally controlled police force cannot effectively respond to acts of insecurity which calls for quick localised responses, noting that “State police would complement federal police and improve community engagement, local intelligence gathering and operational speed to protect the nation from the hydra-headed security threats.”
“The Civil Society Organizations should act as essential watchdogs, the media should be free and independent to ensure that the Public is accurately informed and prevent the spread of propaganda and fake news that can inflame ethno-religious suspicion and worsen security situations.
“Citizens on their own part should be partners in intelligence sharing and community vigilance which I see as effective in complementing the military approach,” the former lawmaker stated.
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