President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, has explained the association’s decision to participate in the newly inaugurated Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, saying the NBA is committed to helping develop legal safeguards that address public concerns over the proposed creation of state police.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Osigwe said the NBA would not shy away from contributing to policy and legislative initiatives aimed at strengthening governance and improving national security.
According to him, while the association has often raised concerns about government actions, it remains equally committed to constructive engagement and nation-building.
Osigwe noted that opposition to state police had historically been driven by fears that governors could abuse the system, turning state-controlled police forces into political tools for oppression. However, he said worsening insecurity across parts of the country has led many Nigerians to reconsider their position and embrace the need for a decentralised policing structure.
