Kayode Egbetokun's goal failure
Dear Inspector General of Police. Today's letter is about the issue of state police in this country. Let me be clear: Our letter is addressed to you and not just because we spoke on your behalf at a public dialogue on the state police in Abuja. “Pathways to Peace: Rethinking Policing in Nigeria” was held on April 20, 2024, but it goes beyond that.
You have received this letter because even before your outing in Abuja, some of us have always felt and insisted that you and your office should be at the center of the conversation. The reason is simple. If such policies and decisions are to be effective, efficient and sustainable, involving businesses and viable actors in policy formulation is an essential element and an essential part of strategic policy formulation. I'm sure it's a step.
When the news broke about your position on the topic of state police, my first comment was to congratulate you and the organizers of the event. I admired the event organizers for their insight and courage in providing a platform for people to express their ideas publicly and freely. After all, and this is no trivial matter, a very visible part of the country's ruling class was present at this event, and their views on the national police are well known.
I'd like to toast you for your clear mind and your bravery in taking such a clear and courageous stand. What I would like to remind you of is that, from all indications, the government of the day was leaning towards establishing a state police force in this country, and probably as soon as possible. It was a very welcome breath of fresh air for you to stand up in front of the Vice President, the Cabinet, and other key members of the establishment and argue that this country is not ready for state police.
Don't be shocked (no need to pretend, we know each other), you know many of the positions I have held over the years in the Nigerian Police Force. Instead, I would like to make it clear that while I do not agree with the position expressed by AIG regarding the Abuja State Police and even rate it as wrong, I am not only a strong advocate of your rights. Let's shock readers who are reading this page for the first time. I think it will be very useful not only for expressing them, but also for conversations and planning with state police.
The takeaways from the Abuja speech very well summarize the position of those who oppose and fear having state police in Nigeria. Remarks by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (Ben Okoro), who represents the Inspector General of Police, gave voice to opposition to the establishment of state police forces in Nigeria, which lacks the moral garb and technical authority to say “no” or “not yet”. . .
The speech, delivered in Abuja, raised and enumerated practical issues regarding funding for the policy and real concerns about the abuse of force. Yes, these are real issues that need to be addressed, and by articulating this authoritatively, AIG, representing your good selves and your offices, is asking us, the public, and policy makers, to do what we want. It provided food for thought and red flags that were relevant to policy.
The logical conclusion to be forward-thinking from the Abuja proposal by AIG is that to get the state police we want, concerns and possible collateral damage need to be addressed and completed on time. Therefore, it is necessary to take prompt action. There are also concerns and possible side effects.
You cannot say that you will refuse to marry because your marriage might turn into abuse and end badly, or that you will choose to stay at home because your spouse may be poor.
What you need is the vision to envision a better future, the diligence to make wise choices, and the discipline to implement them. All we have to do to protect our state police from abuse by governors is to do the following the moment we think about it: Ensure that there are clear laws that protect the new forces from all forms of abuse from all forces, including the Governor, the State Police Commissioner and the IGP.
On the other hand, let me say that it makes no sense at all to delay or avoid a policy that would benefit over 200 million people just because 36 people (the governors) might abuse the policy. . It makes it clear that the governor has no authority over the state police, and further asserts that those who protect and accompany the governor and other high-ranking officials should be police officers who, like police officers, do not have the power to arrest. You can also.
What we must do to protect state police from dependence is to give them financial independence and operational autonomy. Ensure that salaries and other funds necessary for police operations are transparently deliberated, expended, and distributed.
Pay police chiefs and others well so they have no reason to complain to politicians. By the way, in the spirit of true federalism and diversity, the salaries of state police officers need not be the same throughout the country, but are paid according to their needs and abilities.
Dear IGPs, on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, when the news broke that AIG had retracted its statement in Abuja, my heart thought of you and wondered if I had missed the chance to score a golden goal. thought. If AIG sticks to its stated position, it will cut down on public servants and experts who can express their opinions with independence and authority, no matter who bleeds blood.
In such a position, you would be seen by everyone as someone who contributed your views to the national dialogue, policymakers would acknowledge your concerns and find solutions to them, and perhaps academics would be able to influence policy. I would have referred to your name in listing the issues to be addressed in the formulation. For decentralization.
Mark my words, the establishment of the state police will come sooner or later, in this backtracking, dear IGP, you risk being remembered as the man who said and did not say…
Kira is the laboratory director at CIAPS. www.ciaps.org. You can contact him at X @anthonykila
Source: guardian.ng