Political analyst, Prof Leonard Karshima Shilgba, has written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu urging him to reject calls for a state of emergency in Benue State, arguing that such measures would only provide temporary relief without addressing fundamental constitutional issues.
In his statement released on Tuesday, Prof Shilgba warned that implementing emergency rule without first exhausting constitutional and democratic avenues could potentially erode public trust in Nigeria's institutions. His appeal comes amid escalating violence and killings in Benue communities by suspected herdsmen.
Constitutional Constraints on Governors
The professor's open letter, titled "A Constitutional and Moral Rebuttal to the Call for Emergency Rule in Benue State," highlighted how state governors' hands are effectively tied by constitutional limitations when facing security challenges. He called on President Tinubu to clarify governors' security roles, noting that federal security agencies sometimes undermine or ignore state laws.
"The governor's power to issue orders to the Commissioner of Police has proven ineffective due to federal override," Prof Shilgba stated, pointing to a fundamental flaw in Nigeria's security architecture.
Recommendations for Constitutional Reform
Prof Shilgba offered several recommendations to address Benue's security situation, including:
Amending Section 215(4) of the constitution to remove presidential override or clearly define scenarios where federal intervention is justified
Defining "Chief Security Officer" in operational terms to give governors full command over security within state boundaries
Creating a dual policing system through constitutional amendment to allow states to establish their own police forces
Establishing State Security Trust Funds to support state police forces
Developing legislative frameworks for ad hoc security arrangements like "Anyam Nyor" in Benue
Strengthening State-Federal Security Collaboration
The political analyst further urged President Tinubu to strengthen collaboration between federal and state security agencies to enhance intelligence sharing and operational efficiency. He advocated for additional resources and support for local security outfits to bolster community policing efforts.
Prof Shilgba also recommended that state legislatures formalize local vigilante groups and establish community or regional security corps under clear laws, similar to Amotekun in the Southwest and Ebubeagu in the Southeast, while lobbying for federal recognition.
The professor's intervention comes at a critical time when Benue communities continue to face deadly attacks, with recent incidents prompting protests by women who barricaded federal highways in the state to demand an end to the killings.
