The Labour Party presidential candidate, Chibuzo Okereke, has thrown his weight behind the establishment of state police.

Mr Okereke, however, said that when established, it should be completely decentralised for effective service delivery.

In an interview with journalists on Thursday in Abuja, the presidential candidate said that, though safeguards were necessary, the legislation on state police should not be made out of fear of possible abuse by governors.

Rather, he said the focus should be on an organised democratic structure that would allow the police to function with the latest technology to enhance results and accountable service.

“I support state police, but we must not express fear. Yes, safeguards and better risk calculation are important; laws must not be made with fear and power and control as if we have already seen that the abuse is going to be happening.

“Let us have state police because of the advantages it will give us in ensuring the security of lives and property. We should be able to review their functionality and empower them to do their jobs,” he said.

Mr Okereke noted that the policing system in the country was fast collapsing, saying that in many rural areas, individuals and communities contribute resources to sustain operations of police stations.

He blamed the situation on the centralised system of policing where funding, command directives and other administrative controls were vested in the federal government.

(NAN)