…backs state police
The National Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Senator Ajibola Basiru, has stated that reinforcing the rule of law remains the most effective strategy for rebuilding public confidence in governance and addressing insecurity across Nigeria.
Basiru made the assertion while delivering the 4th Distinguished Personality Lecture of the College of Law at Osun State University, titled “Democratic Governance, National Security and the Rule of Law.” He emphasised that strict adherence to democratic principles is critical to promoting stability and strengthening national cohesion.
He urged the Executive arm of government to operate strictly within its constitutional mandate, while calling on the Legislature to deepen its oversight functions and the Judiciary to safeguard its interpretative authority.
According to him, democracy, national security, and the rule of law are interconnected pillars essential to state stability.
He maintained that strengthening the rule of law, rebuilding public trust, and consolidating democratic norms would enable Nigeria to withstand prevailing security threats and position the country as a model of democratic resilience in Africa.
“Democratic governance provides the mechanism for legitimate authority; the rule of law regulates the exercise of that authority; and national security creates the enabling environment for the political community to flourish,” Basiru stated.
He further underscored the roles of civil society organisations, the media, and citizens in ensuring accountability within the security architecture.
The APC scribe also expressed support for the establishment of state police, arguing that a single, centrally controlled police structure cannot adequately respond to security challenges that require swift, localised interventions.
In his remarks, the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, stressed the need for the Executive arm to uphold constitutional provisions to prevent impunity and strengthen democratic governance.
