The presidency has rebuked those calling for Igbo Inspector General of Police (IGP), that appointment is not by ethnicity but by the ability of the officer to serve the country. This was made known today by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, while reacting to the advocators of Igbo IGP in the country. Garba Shehu was speaking on Channels Television program, “Sunrise Daily” this morning. The call has hit the roof in the last one week following the winding down of the present IGP, Abubakar Adamu, after attaining the 35 years mandatory service as required by Nigerian law.
Similar agitation followed last week when President Buhari appointed for new service Chiefs –Major-General Leo Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff (Delta State); Major-General Ibrahim Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff (Kaduna State); Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff (Kano State); and Air-Vice Marshal I.O Amao, Chief of Air Staff (Osun State).
However, the Presidential spokesperson opined that at least Mr. President was fair in his appointment when he appointed two from both North and South respectively.
Garba Shehu in his statement said, “The language that is being used is that there should be an Igbo service chief and this is a country with more than 250 ethnic groups. If you are going to appoint a service chief from every ethnic group in this country, you are going to have more than 250 Inspector General of Police, 250 Chief of Army Staff, 250 Chief of Naval Staff. Things are not going to work like that.
He added “If we said that we are going to use ethnicity or religion as the basis, then, we have lost it. This is about law and order and not about ethnic identity.
According to the Presidential spokesperson, among the four service Chiefs appointed, two from the north and Two from South. Also, two are Muslims and two Christians; at least our difference was all captured in the appointment.
However, he said concerning the present IGP that is bowing out, though he revealed he is yet to speak with Mr. President, but if he read his mind correctly, Buhari is more concerned about who will secure Nigeria for all; One that would protect lives and property, but not who is more pronounced by his tribal marks.
Shehu said the President would decide the fate of the IGP when he returned from his hometown by end of this week.
