Confirmation of IGP insensitive, say Muslim group, activists

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has described the confirmation of the appointment of Suleiman Abba as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) by President Goodluck Jonathan as insensitive to public opinion and a confirmation of partisanship.

In a statement signed by Ishaq Akintola in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday, the group said the confirmation of the IGP, coming the same week in which he openly supported the ruling party by withdrawing the security details of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, informed its opinion.

Tambuwal defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), following which his security aides were withdrawn and the issue has received wild condemnation from across the country.

According to the group, “The confirmation of Mr. Sulaiman Abba as the chief police officer of Nigeria comes across as badly timed, insensitive and provocative. In spite of the outcry against the illegal, partisan and unprofessional action of Abba, Mr. President has chosen to reward mediocrity.

“Like many other actions of President Jonathan, this confirmation is another manifestation of impunity and lack of concern for public opinion. It further confirms the allegation that Aso Rock has been consistent in pursuing divisive ploys.”

In a similar vein, constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Itse Sagay, on Wednesday described the confirmation of Abba by the Council of States as ill-timed.

Speaking with Daily Independent, Sagay said the police boss should have been allowed to clear his name over the controversy arising from the withdrawal of the security aides of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

He also admonished the police boss to learn from his mistake and be objective and independent in carrying out his responsibilities to the people of Nigeria.

“His confirmation is not well-timed. The controversy surrounding his withdrawal of the Speaker’s security details should have been resolved first. I believe, with the controversy into which he has plunged himself, he will now adopt an objective and independent attitude towards his duty because he is a servant of the Nigerian nation and not of any political party,” he said.

Also, a civil society group, Say No Campaign, piqued by recent political and security developments in the country, has cautioned the Federal Government against allowing impunity to thwart the country’s democracy.

The group, apparently reacting to the alleged ceasefire agreement with insurgents in the North-East and the confirmation of the appointment of Abba as substantive Inspector-General of Police, said obvious official lapses and impunity that now characterise some public institutions were a manifestation that the country was derailing.

At a press conference to express their grievances in Abuja on Wednesday, co-convener of the group, Jaye Gaskia, said the action of the IGP was tantamount to usurping the role of the judiciary, which is supposed to interpret the contentious Section 68(1)(g) of our Constitution.

Source: dailyindependent