State police good, but tackling poverty more important, ADP chieftain tells Tinubu

Chris Emejuru, a prominent entrepreneur and member of the opposition Action Democratic Party, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to exercise caution regarding the proposed State Policing initiative in Nigeria. Emejuru believes that addressing poverty should be the country's top priority, asserting that "No amount of bullets, weapons, or tanks will put food in the stomach of a desperate youth.

Once you address poverty in the country, insecurity will reduce." In a recent statement to newsmen in Abuja, Emejuru emphasized that if the government prioritizes poverty reduction as it has done with State Policing, insecurity will decline significantly.

Emejuru argued that empowering individuals would reduce desperation, changing priorities from seeking food to finding abundant opportunities and work. He urged Nigerians to shift their mindset towards what truly matters, such as addressing poverty and insecurity. While acknowledging the potential of State Policing, Emejuru stressed that it is not yet fully constitutionalized and calls for safeguards to prevent corrupt forces from exploiting the reform.

To tackle insecurity, Emejuru suggested utilizing AI-enabled technology to provide funds to the most vulnerable, promoting transparent fund allocation from various sectors, and offering grants to the informal sector to improve the lives of all Nigerians. He maintained that focusing on policies that directly impact people's lives is crucial, as people's well-being should always come first.

Emejuru concluded that while State Policing could be beneficial, reducing poverty would have a far greater impact on creating a more stable and secure Nigeria.