The Nigerian Senate has declared the Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris as an enemy of Democracy and one not fit to hold office within and outside Nigerian. This statement is coming after the IGP failed to appear before it for the third time.
The Senators in today’s plenary, frowned at the way the executive especially the head of the Nigerian Police are ignoring its directives to appear before the Senate and a Committee set up by the Senate and backed by law to look into his refusal to appear and the Senator Dino Melaye’s case with the insecurity situation in the country.
The Senators called the disregard for the call to appear after being summoned for the third time as a slap in their faces, and Nigerians which they represent.
If you recall, that the Police itself have cited sections of the constitution as regarding the powers to summon the IGP, and delegation of authorities by the IGP.
But the section which was cited by the police did not say anything about if the Senate has the powers to summon the IGP. It only talked about the appointment of the IGP by the President and delegation of authorities by the IGP. So, in a way, the Police citing that section of the Constitution is indirectly telling the Senate it does not have the powers to summon the IGP, only the President does.
The Senators one after the other took their stand on the issue, and the first was the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki: He said:
Therefore the Senate resolves to declare the IGP as an enemy of democracy and not fit to hold any public office within and outside Nigeria. And that the refusal of the IG to appear before an investigative committee as also ruled by a court of competent jurisdiction is a great danger to our democracy. The Senate noted this as disrespectful to the institution and constitutional authority.
During the executive session, the Senate deliberated on the non-appearance of the IGP to the Senate in plenary after a series of invitations.”-
Other Senators took their turn, and Senator Enyinaya Abaribe sees the situation this way:
What is happening today in Nigeria shows that democracy is dying bit by bit and also shows the abuse of power and office by the IG. What the IG is doing in the eyes of the world, shows that there is no respect for the law.”
Senator Isah Misau:
What the IGP is doing is not against the Senate but against the presidency that appointed him into office, it’s unfortunate.The IG is not competent to be in the office”
Senator Emmanuel Bwacha.
This is unacceptable and disrespectful. It requires immediate action and i think this Senate needs to take serious action in looking for a way forward.”
Senator Ahmad Lawan, Senate Leader.
“It is very unusual for a public servant to act like this. I have never see this before anywhere in the world, we need to take a decision because this affects security in the entire country.” –