President Bola Tinubu has appointed his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to chair the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill.
The committee was inaugurated on Tuesday to draft the legal framework for the implementation of state police across Nigeria.
The appointment is aimed at advancing the Federal Government’s plans to establish a decentralised policing system.
However, the decision has generated public debate on social media and among some commentators.
Critics argue that Gbajabiamila’s appointment comes at a time when allegations linked to a reported fake federal agency controversy have continued to attract public attention.
Some groups and individuals have previously called for an independent investigation into the allegations and urged the Presidency to suspend the Chief of Staff pending the outcome of any probe.
Despite the calls, President Tinubu has retained Gbajabiamila in office and assigned him the new responsibility.
The working group is expected to prepare the legal framework for a state policing system centred on accountability, transparency, human rights and public trust.
Supporters of the initiative say the committee’s work is crucial to ongoing security sector reforms.
Opponents, however, believe the latest appointment could raise fresh questions about the administration’s commitment to accountability and transparency.
They argue that allowing any public allegations to be independently examined before making new appointments would strengthen public confidence in government institutions.
The Presidency has not announced any investigation into the allegations involving the Chief of Staff, while no court has found Gbajabiamila guilty of any offence.
Political observers say the controversy surrounding the appointment may divert attention from the broader debate on state police reforms.
The Federal Government has maintained that the National Policing Bill is designed to provide the legal foundation for the successful implementation of state policing in Nigeria.
