Group Berates IG for Acting Above the Law

Senator Iroegbu in Abuja
A political pressure group, the Concerned Citizens of North Central (CCNC), has condemned what they described as unconstitutional actions of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, saying it threatens the nation’s democracy.

The group disclosed this in a statement signed by Safiya Mohammed Agwai and Isyaku Hassan, after an emergency meeting in Abuja during which it assessed the situation in the country as it affects its members and the geopolitical zone.

The group was particularly worried “about the above- the- law proclivities of the IG, Idris. In that disposition, the IG, in his conduct and utterances, has consistently demonstrated that he was incapable of operating within the ambit of the rule of law.”

Part of the statement read: “We recall his deliberate flouting of the orders of President Muhammadu Buhari at the peak of the crises in Benue state, evidence that no one is spared as he decides to ride roughshod on the sensibilities of everyone who has the misfortune to cross his path even if it is the president himself. His disrespect for constituted authority, especially the National Assembly, is seen by the electorate who voted them into office as a rude slap in the face.

“It is from this standpoint that the CCNC urges the president to call the IG, who is beginning to behave like an elephant in the house, to order. It noted that this is a democracy and agencies like the police owe themselves a duty to be submissive to the authority elected into office by the people, the ultimate custodians of the sovereignty.”

“His disrespect of the National Assembly may have led to the show of shame at the hallowed chambers of the Senate during which some hoodlums, in veiled connivance with the security agency, and in a rare show of bravado, stormed the red chamber and stole the mace, the symbol of authority of the legislative body. The CCNC is particularly disturbed that up and until now, none of the miscreants who desecrated the Senate chambers has been arrested let alone being prosecuted and this in spite of assurances by the president himself. The CCNC used the opportunity of the meeting to appeal to President Buhari to make good his promise that all the bandits that perpetrated that heinous infraction will be brought to deserved justice.”

Even more frightening, the CCNC pointed out, is the allegation that the IG was planning to frame the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.
To this end, the group called on the president to take this allegation with the seriousness it deserves because it follows a trend that is emerging.

They noted that Senator Shehu Sani, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, among others, are presently suffering the IG’s capacity to blackmail and intimidate.
The group however, commended the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, for speaking up against this act of infamy and urged other Northern elders and traditional institutions to speak up against this onslaught on democracy.

The CCNC also expressed its worry at the escalating insecurity in the country and has joined other well-meaning Nigerians in not only condemning the situation but also appeal to the authorities to check this menacing trend especially in the North-central zone.

The organisation also wants the federal government to find effective ways to stop the incessant killings, destruction of properties and farmlands across the zone in particular and the country at large for the sake of posterity.

CCNC at the meeting observed that the people of the zone were grossly marginalised and deprived of their fair share of the dividends of democracy in terms of political appointments despite the massive support extended to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) by the zone in the 2015 that helped in bringing it to power.

The group intimated that the zone is mobilising the people in its catchment area to speak with one voice as the 2019 approaches just as it has resolved that the zone will no longer give any political aspirant a blank cheque in the next election.
The group reassured the leadership of the National Assembly, the Senate in particular, of its support and loyalty at all times and enjoined President Buhari to be concerned about his place in history.