State Police: Giving Governors power over security suicidal to democracy – APC Chieftain
By: Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna
http://www.newsportng.com.ng Chieftain of the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC) Professor Kailani Muhammad has said that to avail Nigerian state Governors the powers to control an entire state Police under a sole authority, could be suicidal to Nigerian democracy.
This is as the Chieftain noted with concern that some state governors attempt to use police to coerce the electorates during elections to toe their political paths during voting even when the police structure is not under their supervision.
Addressing a Press conference in Kaduna at the weekend, Kailani stressed that the discussions cycling the Nigerian political space, about the formation of a State Police or not, do not merit attention of the Nigerian State at this moment considering numerous indications that the Nigerian State is not yet prepared for State Police.
He further avered that some State Governors are presently finding it difficult to pay state staff salaries, adding that their mindsets are yet to adjust to the true principles of democracy, where it is the Government of the People, By the people and For the People according to Abraham Lincoln.
In extension, Kailani also expressed dismay over the artificial fuel scarcity as a result of hoarding, noting that the Dangote refinery is not beneficial to Nigerians, hence it only produces diesel, kerosene and oil and does not produce Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
He also worried that the Aviation Kerosene that the Dangote refinery produces is not hydrated, and as such it portends a high risk to the Aviation industry.
“There is a constructive argument that state governors might use State Police to intimidate, blackmail and victimize Nigerians either for political, ethnic, tribal or social gains for themselves, to the detriment of the state. We cannot afford to copyright the United States of America, Great Britain, Germany or any other country on the issue of State Police, because we are not ready for it now.
“Also, the controversy over the Dangote Refinery, where it produces only diesel, kerosene and oil and does not produce premium Motor Spirit (PMS). These are products that they sells to foreign lands in USD. By extension this means that, the Dangote Refinery is not benefiting Nigerians. The Aviation Kerosene that the refinery produces, is not hydrated, meaning that it portends a high risk to the Aviation industry.
“Another worrisome development is the fake fuel scarcity put in place by petroleum products marketers. They have devised a cunning strategy to defraud and inflict hardship on the citizenry, by hoarding petroleum products, and damned the consequences on the citizenry.
“The Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), has come out categorically and assured Nigerians that there is enough petroleum products to service Nigeria for a long time to come.
“Those behind this manufactured fuel scarcity should be fished out and sanctioned accordingly, to serve as a deterrent to others. This country belongs to all of us. We must collectively work hard to salvage it together and so, I am passionately appealing to our able
President Alhaji Bola Tinubu, to consider APC Support Groups for appointments to prepare them for moblising their members as 2027 draws closer.” He said.
