For Shunning Its Invitation Three Times, Senate Declares IGP Ibrahim Idris As “Enemy Of Democracy “

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By Nuel Suji – The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday declared the Inspector General of Police, Idris Ibrahim as “enemy of democracy ” and unfit to hold public office in Nigeria and outside the country.

The Senate’s verdict on Mr. Idris was announced by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki after its closed door session which lasted for 50 minutes.

The IGP had failed for the third time to honour the senate’s invitation to appear before its to explain the state of insecurity across Nigeria and the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Kogi senator, Dino Melaye.

Speaking after the closed-door session, Mr. Saraki said, “the Senate in a closed session deliberated on the non-appearance of the IGP to the Senate in plenary after a series of invitations. 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,” Mr. Saraki said.

Adding: “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.”

Senate had invited the IGP thrice on the issue of state of killings in the country and inhuman treatment of distinguished Senator Dino Melaye by the Nigerian Police.

Speaking before the lawmakers embarked on closed door session on the refusal of IGP to appear before Senate ,  Senate Leader,  Ahmad Lawan  said, “For the past two days we have tried to reach the Inspector General of Police to inform him that he should be here today in keeping with our resolution. We have done that with chairman of Police.

“Personally, I made attempts to call his line and I sent text messages that he should call me as soon as he was able to see my message.

“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 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 police.

“This institution is now at a crossroad on this. I believe that a decision has to be taken on way forward. Even though we will always like our security agencies to come and brief us because of the current security situation in the country. But in a situation where there is consistent non-appearance by the IG, I don’t think it will make any further sense to continue to extend invitation until the senate takes a different decision to make the situation better.”

Also in his own contribution, Senator Emmanuel  Bwacha said, “This is quite a very sad moment for Nigeria, not for the parlisament, but for our democracy that for the very first time.

“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.

“I will suggest we have a closed session. Im moving to have a closed session or executive session to take very serious consideration on this matter. Because this is a national disgrace.”

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