Primate Ayodele Sends Warning to FG Over State Police

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has cautioned President Bola Tinubu’s administration against rushing the introduction of state police, saying proper arrangements must be put in place before the system is implemented.

Ayodele gave the warning in a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin. He argued that the government still had important issues to address and should not hasten the process without making adequate provisions for its operation.

The cleric warned that poor planning could create conflicts between state police formations and the existing federal police structure. He also said the establishment of state police would not automatically eliminate crime or terrorism, adding that several factors must be considered to ensure effective coordination and management.

While describing state policing as a useful initiative that could help address Nigeria’s security challenges, Ayodele maintained that inadequate preparation could create additional problems rather than provide lasting solutions.

He urged the Federal Government to take its time and establish clear arrangements to prevent disagreements and operational difficulties between the two levels of policing.

The cleric also commented on calls for an increase in the national minimum wage to ₦500,000, describing the proposed figure as unrealistic under Nigeria’s current economic conditions.

He argued that such an increase could place severe pressure on the economy and potentially disrupt economic activities. Instead, he called for gradual wage improvements that would reflect the rising cost of living without creating additional economic difficulties.

Ayodele, however, acknowledged that the existing minimum wage was inadequate to meet the needs of many Nigerian households, particularly amid rising living costs. He urged labour leaders to consider the country’s economic situation when making demands, while maintaining that workers deserved better pay.