The fiery musician and internet sensation, Speed Darlington, has once again stirred conversation in the Nigerian public space, this time by calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take urgent action towards reforming the Nigerian Police Force. His message, delivered in a video he posted online on Saturday, August 23, was both blunt and passionate, reflecting the frustration many Nigerians continue to voice about policing in the country.
He argued that leadership should not be assessed only through economic performance or Gross Domestic Product growth, but also by the protection of fundamental human rights and the well-being of ordinary citizens. According to him, the Tinubu administration risks being remembered negatively if it fails to address the deeply rooted issues of corruption, abuse, and unlawful practices within the Nigeria Police Force.
Speed Darlington, who is known for his unconventional style and outspoken personality, did not mince words as he directed his appeal to the president. He declared that too much emphasis has been placed on economic policies while little to no attention is being given to the way law enforcement operates on a daily basis. He stressed that reforming the police would be a more impactful legacy than chasing macroeconomic targets that do not immediately improve the lives of everyday Nigerians.
“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn't about the economy!” he said. His tone reflected the frustrations of citizens who continue to complain about systemic injustice and harassment at the hands of the police.
The singer added that public opinion about President Tinubu is far from favorable, even among his own Yoruba base. According to him, the only people who openly support the president are those who directly benefit from his administration. By emphasizing this, he tried to highlight that real leadership is not measured by loyalty bought through appointments but by tangible reforms that touch the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
Speed Darlington insisted that the Nigerian police system has been operating with a culture of abuse. He described it as an oppressive institution where officers treat human rights violations as part of their routine. According to him, many officers consider arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention, and intimidation as proof that they are performing their duties.
His concerns went beyond general criticisms. He narrated his own ordeal with the police to demonstrate the urgent need for reform. He recounted how he was detained by law enforcement officers even after a judge had ordered his release. “I was held for two months after the judge ordered my release,” he revealed. “According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation. They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can.”
This personal account shed light on a system where due process is often ignored and abuse of power is normalized. The singer alleged that police officers frequently use their positions to settle scores for those willing to pay, adding that money and influence can easily turn the law against innocent citizens.
He further criticized what he called the practice of arrest before investigation, describing it as a direct violation of human rights. In his view, such a method criminalizes citizens before any proof of wrongdoing is established. “The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you investigate,” he declared.
The performer urged President Tinubu to speak directly to the Inspector General of Police, who he referred to as the president’s Yoruba brother, in order to address these issues. He maintained that genuine reform would not only ease the struggles of citizens but would also establish the president’s reputation as a leader remembered for justice rather than criticism.
Nigeria’s police system has long been the subject of complaints ranging from bribery at checkpoints to illegal detentions, extrajudicial killings, and lack of accountability. Public anger against the institution boiled over during the 2020 #EndSARS protests, a nationwide youth-led movement against police brutality. Despite government promises to reform the system, many Nigerians argue that little has changed. Speed Darlington’s statement, therefore, resonates with the grievances of millions who still face harassment and abuse.
His message comes at a time when the Tinubu administration is heavily focused on economic restructuring, subsidy removal, and fiscal reforms. While these policies are seen as necessary to stabilize the country’s finances, they have also worsened living conditions for many Nigerians. By drawing attention to police reform, Speed Darlington is pressing the president to balance economic measures with institutional reforms that directly affect civil liberties.
For a government seeking to strengthen its legitimacy, ignoring such calls may only deepen public discontent. Citizens like Speed Darlington are using their platforms to remind leaders that human rights, justice, and dignity are as essential as economic growth. His appeal challenges Tinubu to broaden his legacy from being remembered as a president who pursued economic targets to one who tackled structural injustices within Nigeria’s most criticized institution.
Whether or not the president will heed this call remains uncertain. However, the conversation sparked by Speed Darlington underscores the urgent need to revisit the state of policing in Nigeria, a matter that continues to shape how citizens perceive governance, justice, and democracy itself.
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