Segun Atanda/
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris, was today declared as unfit for public office in Nigeria and anywhere else.
The declaration was made by the Senate, in reaction to Idris refusal to honour the lawmakers invitation three consecutive times.
The Senate had summoned Idris over insecurity in Nigeria and alleged inhuman treatment meted out to Senator Dino Melaye (APC Kogi west).
The lawmakers today lambasted Idris, declaring him an enemy of democracy.
The Senate had dissolved into a closed-door session to deliberate on the action by the IGP, while majority of Senators took offence at his attitude.
The Senate President, Bukola Saraki after the closed door session said the closed door session was necessary because of what he described as non-appearance of the IGP to the Senate in plenary after a series of invitations.
He said, “The Senate noted that this amounted to a great disrespect to the institution and constituted authority. The Senate also notes that his earlier refusal to appear before its investigative committee was overruled by a court of competent jurisdiction just in April of this year.
“The Senate therefore views his persistent refusal as a great danger to our democracy.
“Therefore, the Senate resolved to declare the IGP as an enemy of our democracy and not fit to hold any public office within and outside Nigeria. The leadership of the Senate was also mandated to look into the matter for further necessary action.”
The face-off between the Senate and the IGP worsened after the Police arrested Senator Melaye penultimate week, prompting it to summon the IGP to appear before it for explanations on circumstances leading to the arrest and alleged inhuman treatment meted out to him in the process.
The IGP, however, failed to personally honour the invitation although it sent the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations) Mr Joshak Habila to represent him ,
The Senate immediately refused to accept the representative of the IG, insisting on having the police boss himself to be present.
The same scenario unfolded last week when the IGP refused to personally appear before the Senate over the same issues but sent the DIG operations, upon which the Senate resolved to meet the Executive.
As a way out of the face off, the Senate President and Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara met with President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday where the matter was tabled and alleged agreement reached for appearance of the IGP before the Senate yesterday.
But to the surprise of the upper legislative chamber, the IGP for the third time, failed to honour its invitation .
The lawmakers were incensed before going into closed door session.
First to speak was the leader of the Senate who said the IGP by his action had put the Senate at crossroad .
He said: ” Clearly, the IG is not here. I think this is very unusual and very unfortunate. I personally feel that public officers should do what is in the interest of the public and where any public officers feel he cannot do what is in the interest of the public, then there is no need for such an officer to continue to occupy that kind of office .
“This institution is now at a crossroad on this. I believe that a decision has to be taken on way forward.’
The Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha (PDP Taraba South), said the IGP’s refusal to appear before the Senate for the third time, was inexcusable, unacceptable, and condemnable and it called for immediate action.
He said, “This is quite a very sad moment for Nigeria, not for the parliament, but for our democracy. It is sad, it is inexcusable, unacceptable, and condemnable and it calls for immediate action.
”This senate needs to take very serious action on the way forward. We cannot stand this embarrassment any longer because this is a national disgrace.
“I will suggest we have a closed session. I’ m moving to have a closed session or executive session to take very serious consideration on this matter.”
Senator Isah Misau.(APC Bauchi Central), also joined in condemning the IGP’s action.
He said, ”What the IG is doing is not against the Senate, it is against the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria because he is the leader of this country today. . If an appointee of the President will refuse to honour invitation of an institution, it is unfortunate.
“I think it is left for this government to decide if they have an appointee that will rubbish the image of the country.
“I think it is much unfortunate and we will have to do something, the image of the president, the image of country and the image of our democratic environment that is the institution of the parliament. This is a big embarrassment to the country.”
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