From Tongnaan Bawa Jos
A Former Senate Minority Leader, Simon Mwadkwon, has called on the National Assembly to urgently pass the bill establishing state police, insisting that Nigeria’s worsening insecurity cannot be solved without localized policing.
Mwadkwon made the call during his first media briefing after emerging victorious in the APC Plateau North senatorial primary election, where he polled more than 38,000 votes, defeating his closest rival who secured about 4,000 votes.
Speaking at his Jos North campaign office, the APC chieftain said the country already has enough laws to address insecurity, but lacks proper implementation, adequate manpower, and security personnel familiar with local communities and terrain.
“For us to solve this problem, the National Assembly should as quickly as possible pass the bill establishing state police,” Mwadkwon stated.
He argued that officers deployed from distant parts of the country often struggle with local languages, culture, and geography, thereby weakening intelligence gathering and rapid response efforts.
“Officers deployed from distant states struggle with language, culture, and terrain. That makes intelligence gathering and rapid response difficult,” he added.
Mwadkwon also alleged that some elements within the security agencies were undermining operations and called for the identification and sanctioning of unpatriotic officers frustrating efforts to tackle insecurity.
Beyond security, the former lawmaker called for unity within the All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the recently concluded primaries as a family contest among party members.
“The primaries were an in-house struggle among brothers and sisters, and now the APC must close ranks and work together for victory in 2027,” he said.
Popularly known as “Mr. Project,” Mwadkwon highlighted several constituency projects credited to him in Jos North, including classroom construction in Angwan Rimi, Angwan Rogo, Zaria Road, and GSS Kabong, as well as the installation of solar-powered streetlights across communities, churches, and mosques.
According to him, his political philosophy has always prioritized humanity above ethnic and religious considerations.
Mwadkwon also recalled how former House of Representatives member, Suleiman Kwande, withdrew a court case against him in 2023 despite political differences, describing the gesture as evidence that politics can be conducted without bitterness or division.
On the mode of party primaries, the APC stalwart expressed support for both direct and indirect systems, insisting that genuine grassroots support, rather than financial influence, has always been responsible for his political victories.
He thanked party supporters for their confidence in him and pledged to sustain consultations and engagement across Plateau North ahead of the 2027 elections.