A nationwide survey by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre has found that 70 per cent of Nigerians support the establishment of state police alongside the Federal Police.

The survey, conducted in November 2025, assessed public awareness and perceptions of Nigeria’s ongoing Constitution Review process and identified key areas where citizens want constitutional amendments.

In a statement released on Friday, PLAC’s Executive Director, Clement Nwankwo, said the survey covered Nigerians aged 18 and above across the six geopolitical zones, the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, using proportionate stratified random sampling from the NOI Polls Numbers Database.

He added that Interviews were conducted in English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and Pidgin English.

“The findings show strong public backing for decentralised policing as part of broader governance reforms. Seventy per cent support the establishment of state police alongside the Federal Police, although concerns about possible abuse by state governors point to the need for strong accountability safeguards,” Nwankwo said.

Beyond state policing, he said the survey recorded widespread support for other constitutional reforms.

He noted that 89 per cent of respondents support full financial and administrative autonomy for local governments, reflecting strong public frustration with state-level control and a demand for improved grassroots governance.

“89% support full financial and administrative autonomy for local governments, reflecting strong public frustration with state-level control and demand for improved grassroots governance. 61% support devolving more powers — including control over mineral resources — from the Federal Government to the states, while 60% believe excessive federal concentration of power undermines effective governance, ” he said.

On electoral reforms, Nwankwo said 91 per cent of respondents support mandatory electronic transmission of election results, while 87 per cent believe elected legislators should vacate their seats before defecting to another political party.

In addition, 77 per cent prefer the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct local government elections.

The creation of state police has been at the front burner as one of measures proposed to address insecurity in the country.

On Thursday, PUNCH Online reported that President Bola Tinubu renewed his push for the creation of state police, revealing that he had assured the United States and European partners of his intention to implement the policy.

The President stressed that state police “must happen” as part of efforts to improve internal security and strengthen governance at the subnational level. (The PUNCH)

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