The Police high command has come out to defend its action in withdrawing the security aides attached to Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, referred to as former Speaker of the House of Representatives, saying that it has sought legal advice before taking the action as the force has the statutory responsibility to uphold the spirit and letters of the Constitution.
A high ranking police officer who gave the position of Nigeria Police on the issue wondered why some elements preferred the force to make a selective enforcement of the law while at the same time canvassing for a professional police for the country.
He said “Section 68 (g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) states “being a person whose election to the House was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected;
“Provided that his membership of the latter political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored.”
Noting that even members of the opposition hailed the acting Inspector General Suleiman Abba when he provided atmosphere for the immediate swearing in of acting Governor of Adamawa State, Mr. Bala James Ngilari following court ruling for Ahmadu Fintiri to vacate office even when the latter has given indication that he was going to appeal the verdict, the senior officer wondered at the double standards of Nigerian opposition figures.
He insisted, “People should not forget that the institution of Nigerian Police belongs to all Nigerian whether politician or not and therefore, its actions should be respected because it is working for the orderliness of the society no matter which party is in government.”
Insisting that the Police is not expected to wait for a breakdown of law and order before it nips issues in the bud, our source said.
“We are not preventing the court from carrying out its responsibilities but we also have clear and specific responsibilities granted by the same Constitution and whenever the court decides later, we also have an obligation to abide.
“We take certain action with best of intention for the general good of the nation. WE therefore seek for cooperation and understanding of everyone,” the officer concluded.
