Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed on Friday threw his weight behind plans by President Bola Tinubu’s government pushing for the establishment of State Police.
The Bauchi State Governor however warned that it would be “very expensive” for regional leaders.
Speaking after a closed-door meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Bala said Governors were ready to support constitutional changes to make it happen.
NewsQuest reports that President Tinubu had recently requested the National Assembly leadership to explore amendments allowing state-level policing.
“We are very ready and we have always supported state police because it will reduce the burden on the federal government and it will make us more responsive and more responsible as state governors, although it is expensive,” Bala told reporters.
He argued that the move was essential for security, citing Bauchi’s recent progress: “I have seen the importance of security in my state because we have had a lot of security, good situation where some micro and macroeconomic activities are going on and it has really raised the GDP of my state.”
Governor Bala’s visit to Aso Rock focused on escalating insecurity in Bauchi’s Algelero local government area, where bandits from Daji Dam had seized ungoverned spaces, sparking clashes and a humanitarian crisis.
The Governor explained that residents were fleeing amid Ramadan fasting, prompting his plea for “special presidential intervention”.
The Bauchi Governor dismissed speculation about defecting from the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), insisting: “I have always said that I am a PDP man… I’m not coming here for defection, I’m coming here for governance, for partnership.”
He praised PDP’s resilience—“a party that is everywhere, in every corner of the country”—while noting its recent FCT election gains, despite challenges.
“Elections are won from the polling units… locally and not nationally,” he added.
Governor Bala told reporters that President Tinubu responded positively to his security briefing.
