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Ndume: Borno citizens disown Gov Shettima over support for Lawan
Some concerned citizens of Borno State have dissociated themselves from Governor Kassim Shettima’s support for Senator Ahmad Lawan, against the aspiration of Senator Ali Ndume for the position of 9th Senate President.
In a statement signed by the group’s spokesman, Alhaji Yakubu Kwangyang Umar, noted that Shettima spoke only for himself and did not have the support of Borno Citizens.
According to the group, “It is rather surprising that while the state is counting on the Governor’s support for Senator Ndume, he is clearly seen working against the aspiration”.
“The governor therefore spoke in his personal capacity, which he is entitled to, and not for and on behalf of the stakeholders and elders on the platform of Concerned Borno Citizens”, it stated.
The group listed issues that informed its support for Ndume pointing out that Ndume was one of the most loyal party member in the National Assembly.
“Among the reasons we advanced for Senator Ndume’s aspiration are the fact that he has the people at heart, he is a loyal party man and has the privilege of being a Minority Leader in the House of Reps 2007-2011, a Senator with a sound cognate experience, Senate Leader 2015-2017, Director of the North East Presidential Campaign Council 2019 among other credentials”
“Among the reasons we advanced for Senator Ndume’s aspiration are the fact that he has the people at heart, he is a loyal party man and has the privilege of being a Minority Leader in the House of Reps 2007-2011, a Senator with a sound cognate experience, Senate Leader 2015-2017, Director of the North East Presidential Campaign Council 2019 among other credentials”, it added.
The citizens equally lamented the alleged imposition of Lawan on the Senate without consultations.
“As you are all aware, the APC national chairman made a statement endorsing Senator Lawan as the party’s preferred candidate and Senator Ndume responded by saying the chairman’s position is unconstitutional and anti-people.
“The chairman’s statement came days after we made a press conference calling on Senator Ndume to vie for the position of the Senate President and the Senator responded by informing the Party vide a letter to the National Chairman of his intent to contest for the post”, it added.
[17/04, 18:59] Salami Pilot: Senate passes Police Reform Bill, fixes 5-year tenure for IGP
*Recommends N5m fine, 2-year jail term for impersonators
By Olugbenga Salami
Senate, yesterday, passed the Police Reform Bill into law, recommending five year statutory tenure for any Police officer appointed as the Inspector General of Police, IGP.
The upper legislative chamber also approved N5million fine as punishment for any impersonator as Policeman or Police officer, while internal disciplinary mechanism is recommended for any Police officer who brutalises or killed an innocent citizen.
Also, the Senate said appointment of an officer as an IGP, would be subjected to its confirmation as it is for all Service Chiefs, Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN,/Ministers, Ambassadors, Heads of Statutory Commissions and Agencies.
Passage of the bill by the Senate was sequel to a report presented to that effect by the Chairman , Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Tijjani Kaura, APC-Zamfara North.
Under clause 7 of the bill which makes provisions and procedures for appointment and removal of Inspector General of Police ( IGP) , the bill in Clause 7(4b) states that the Nigeria Police Council shall nominate three applicants from among the pool of applicants for the position of IGP to the President for appointment.
Clause 7(4c) of the bill states that the President shall appoint the Inspector General from recommended applicants subject to the confirmation of the Senate.
However for removal of any IGP, clause 7(7c ) of the bill empowers the Nigerian Police Council to make recommendation to that effect to the President of the country without Senate’s approval.
The Nigerian Police Council as stated in clause 6(2) of the bill as the highest policy making body in matters relating to the Police Force shall consist of the President as the chairman, the Governor of each state of the federation, the chairman of the Police Service Commission and the Inspector General of Police.
The Senate in providing for five year single tenure for any IGP appointed, states that the tenure of such an office is statutory not withstanding his or her retirement age.
The name Nigeria Police, NPF, is also retained in the bill since according to the committee, ‘Force’ is captured as part of the name of the crime fighting agency in the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
While two year jail term or N5million fine is stipulated as punishment for any impersonator as Policeman or Police officer, internal disciplinary mechanism is recommended for any Police officer who brutalises or killed an innocent citizen.
Addressing the press after the passage of the bill, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Tijani Kaura said the passed bill containing 131 clauses, will change the face of the Police in the Country from what it is presently to People Friendly one if eventually signed into law by the President.
“All the age long draconian laws in the Police Act of 1943 have been removed to make the Police people friendly, efficient and more effective in crime detection and security service delivery.
“Required constant trainings and welfare packages for men and officers of the Nigerian Police, have been recommended for in the bill”, he said.
He added that in the area of welfare packages for operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, provisions of the Police Trust Fund Bill passed last week by the Senate, will ensure their implementation.
“In the Police Trust Fund Bill, provisions like .05% from Nigeria’s gross income, .005% all profits made by companies in Nigeria etc , would go along way in helping government to fund the Police very adequately for improved security services to Nigerians”, he explained.
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