A political group, Grassroots Mobilizers for Buhari/Osibanjo (GMB&O), has warned the Coalition for United Political Parties (CUPP) against politicising the extension of tenure of the incumbent Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris.
In a press statement made available to pressmen in Abuja on Friday evening, the group noted that Cupp is only “trying to undermine the good efforts of IGP Ibrahim Kpotun Idris in the fight against crime and criminality.”
The statement partly reads:
“In matters that are purely the exclusive prejudice of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as contained in Section 215, sub 1, Paragraph (a)., the noise makers in their wild imaginations are imagining the subjugation of the privileges of the President of the Federal Republic and that of the Police Service Commission by insinuating to whom and when appointments are made.
“Taking from the precedence of the case of the extension of tenure of IGP Sunday Ehindero, whose tenure elapsed in March 20, 2006 but was twice.
“First, for one year which should elapse March 20, 2007 and subsequently extended till May 29, 2007. Again, IGP Mike Okiro during his tenure, enjoyed the privilege of the President and Police Service commission with an extension of one year.
“The issue of the extension of tenure of a security chief should not be the subject of any political debate except for those politicians who have sworn to protect the interests of criminals and of criminality and are trying to heat up the polity with rumours and insinuations.
“We at the Grassroots Mobilizers for Buhari/Osibanjo( GMB&O), are advising opposition politicians to use their time and energy in focusing on canvassing for votes rather than circulating lies and the campaign of calumny. Nigerians are wise enough to know that their ill intended cries are only meant to divert attention as they are lost for words or explanation for their past mistakes.
“IGP Ibrahim Idris Kpotun should be left to focus on the tedious task of policing without undue interference by politicians.
“Politicians should also learn to understand the good intentions of Mr. President who in his wisdom extends the tenure of Security Chiefs in the past to maintain stability in the fight against insurgency without any loss of tempo.”