Renowned cleric and General Overseer of Holy Trinity Authority Prophetic International Church, Ado Ekiti, Prophet James Omitade, has warned that Nigerian governors could mismanage and politicise the proposed state police if eventually approved.
He cautioned that allowing governors unchecked control over such a security outfit could “mess up the system” and worsen insecurity nationwide.
Speaking with journalists in Ado Ekiti, Prophet Omitade urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently deploy all necessary government machinery to curb rising insecurity, unemployment, and hunger.
He warned that failure to do so could trigger another nationwide mass protest similar to the #EndSARS uprising.
The cleric attributed the growing wave of killings and criminality across states to what he described as an entrenched “above-the-law syndrome,” where, according to him, the innocent suffer punishment while the guilty walk free. He argued that Nigeria’s criminal justice system has long failed to function effectively.
On the clamour for state police, Omitade acknowledged the initiative as potentially helpful but insisted on strict legal limits to prevent governors from exerting absolute control. “If state police is handled by the governors, then the end has come to everybody,” he said, alleging that many state executives mismanage federal allocations without improving citizens’ welfare.
He also warned of rising tension nationwide, predicting that a major protest might erupt before 2027 if government performance does not improve. He referenced a recent attack on a governor’s convoy as a sign of growing public anger.
Prophet Omitade criticised political actors who, despite once condemning government excesses, continue the same practices after attaining power. He maintained that Nigeria will keep “wobbling from one problem to another” until leaders become transparent, accountable, and subject to the same laws as ordinary citizens.
Responding to calls for U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene in Nigeria’s security crisis, the cleric expressed concern that internal sabotage by influential figures could undermine any international assistance. He argued that those in power already know what steps to take to end insecurity but lack the willingness to “step on toes.”
Omitade condemned the relentless struggle for power among Nigerian politicians, accusing them of instigating violence, killings, and electoral manipulation.
He insisted that both leaders and citizens have contributed to Nigeria’s current challenges, including some religious leaders whose messages, he said, now breed division and ill feeling.
The cleric concluded that Nigeria is easy to govern if leaders are willing to transfer power to the people and uphold the principles of democracy. He warned that failure to address widespread hardship could trigger unrest “worse than #EndSARS,” urging governors to use public funds for citizens’ benefit rather than personal gain.
