By Deji Elumoye in Abuja
A political pressure group in Nigeria, the Concerned Citizens of North Central (CCNC), has called on President Muhamadu Buhari to call the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, to order over his flagrant disrespect for constituted authority
Rising from 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 Inspector General of Police (IGP)
According to a statement issued by Messrs Safiya Agwuai and Ishyaku Hassan on behalf of the group after the meeting the IGP, in his conduct and utterances, has consistently demonstrated that he was incapable of operating within the ambit of the rule of law.
“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 IGP, 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 Muhammadu Buhari to make good his promise that all the bandits that perpetrated that heinous infraction will be brought to deserved justice,” the group further explained
The CCNC further alleged that the IGP is planning to frame up the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki “and want the President to take this allegation with the seriousness it deserves because it follows a trend that is emerging. Senators Shehu Sani and Emmanuel Bwacha among others are presently suffering the IGP’s capacity to blackmail and intimidate.
The CCNC, whose vision and mission is to ensure equity, fairness and justice 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 further 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 Party by the zone in the 2015 that helped in bringing it to power
