A human rights group in Nigeria, the Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice(CHRSJ) has urged President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the Police Service Commission not to elongate the tenure of incumbent Inspector General of Police(IGP), Alhaji Muhammed Dahiru Abubakar, who is due for statutory retirement on July 31st, 2014.
Speaking through the group’s Executive Chairman, Comrade Adeniyi Alimi Sulaiman in a statement in Osogbo, maintained that, the extension of Abubakar’s tenure beyond his retirement day would amount to injustice on the part of respected force.
Sulaiman equally urged the President to consider seniority and experience in choosing the next Inspector General of Police (IGP) which should be done in a manner devoid of politics and ethnicity, especially as the country prepares for general elections where the new Nigeria Police would play a significant role in the process.
The group said, “Elongation of Abubakar’s tenure will confirm speculations making the rounds that President Goodluck Jonathan led PDP may want to use the incumbent IGP to win the forthcoming general elections for PDP, particularly the presidential poll.
They however advised President Jonathan to ensure that anybody who will emerge as the new IGP after Abubakar, must have interest and oneness of the nation at heart.
According to him, “Education, Intelligence and experience should be the paramount qualities in choosing the new IGP and the person must be hard working and free from corrupt related issues throughout his carrier in the police force and as well have confidence of Nigerians.
“He should be ready to place priority on how to curb the menace of Boko Haram that is threatening the peaceful co-existence of the country and ensure safety of lives and property of all Nigerians”.
