DCP ABBA KYARI’S 96 HOURS

DCP ABBA KYARI’S 96 HOURS

There is a popular saying: life is a flip. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari just witnessed one.

Just within 96 hours DCP Abba Kyari’s life flipped. Just within 96 hours, his indictment by the American Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was made public, Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba set up a four-man Special Investigation Panel (SIP) headed by DIG Joseph Egbunike, Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID)to investigate the indictment. The IGP recommended Kyari’s suspension, the Police Service Commission (PSC) suspended Kyari, the IGP appointed DCP Tunji Disu as the new head of the elite-force, Police Intelligence Response Team IGP-IRT to replace Kyari. Just 96 hours changed many things about Kyari’s 20 years promising career! This is a strong indication that some public jobs are difficult. When one accepts them, he or she has chosen to be a ‘saint’ and must labour to appear as one.

Public trust is the key in such kinds of jobs; once eroded, it can never be restored. For example, top security agents, anti-corruption czars, and people holding ‘delicate’ positions should rarely talk in public, but when they do, they should carefully choose their words. They should not wine and dine with just anybody, attend lavish wedding ceremonies, extravagant events -etc., and then expect complete public trust. One should be in a self-imposed restraint- what a life to live in!

However, as humans, we have our weaknesses, but the point is, people holding delicate jobs can’t preach fasting in the morning and practice gluttony in the night. They have chosen to be ‘saints’, and must labour to appear so.

On the other hand, one of the big lessons to public office holders from this Kyari-Hushpuppi saga is poor public relations management. Kyari’s first public response was just unprofessional – it complicated the issue.

To be fair, before his arrest by the FBI, Ramon Idirs aka -Hushpuppi was a normal young businessman, he has interacted with many high-profile Nigerians. In fact, Hushpuppi was a role-model, an inspiration, and motivational speaker to many gullible young Nigerians.

So many Nigerians have commented for and against Kyari – all with conviction and valid points. However, many people wish and pray that DCP Kayri’s next flip in life will be a positive one. His dilemma is heartbreaking, but the law must be respected. The IGP has promised Nigerians that the police will strictly follow the rule of law and the sanctity of the probe. The IGP also promised absolute respect for all the rights and privileges of DCP Kyari throughout the period of the investigations.

Zayyad I. Muhammad, Abuja

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