The presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said state governors lack the constitutional authority to issue operational orders to federal security agencies.
Makinde argued that although governors are recognised as the chief security officers of their states, they have limited control over the police, military and Department of State Services (DSS) personnel deployed within their territories.
The governor stated this on Friday while addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting with his Bauchi State counterpart and APM leader in the state, Bala Mohammed, at the Government House, Bauchi.
He said the limitations facing governors strengthened the case for the establishment of state police and a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s security structure.
Makinde explained that commissioners of police, state directors of the DSS and military commanders could not act solely on directives issued by governors without obtaining approval from their national authorities.
He said, “I cannot give an instruction to the Commissioner of Police in the state. He will need to get approval from the Inspector-General of Police.
“I cannot give an instruction to the state director of security. He will need to get clearance from the Director-General of the DSS. The same applies to the military and other security agencies responsible for handling insecurity.”
The governor said the current arrangement placed enormous security responsibilities on governors without granting them the corresponding powers required to discharge those duties effectively.
According to him, the establishment of state police would give governors greater authority to respond swiftly to security threats within their jurisdictions.
Makinde acknowledged that governors could impose curfews during serious security emergencies but noted that such measures often affected businesses and the livelihoods of residents.
He said state governments must carefully weigh the security benefits of curfews against their economic consequences.
Makinde asked, “Somebody said, ‘Oh, but you can declare curfew.’ I can declare curfew, but how does that fit with the economic activities of the people?
“So, we’re trying our best to work with the Federal Government.”
He maintained that cooperation between state and federal authorities remained necessary under the existing security arrangement.
