Coalition of CSOs Faults Removal of PSC Chair, Seeks Reversal Of Sack
A coalition of 22 Civil Society Organisations (CSO) in Nigeria has expressed concerns over the removal of Dr Solomon Arase, the Chair of the Police Service Commission (PSC) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on June 10.
The coalition made up of 22 CSOs said the removal violated the established legal procedure for the removal of the PSC Chairman as provided for in Section 5, subsection 1 of the PSC Act.
They said they were worried that such a decision by the President undermined the independence, effectiveness, and confidence of the Commission to discharge its mandate without undue interference.
“Civil society is saddened that this is coming at a time when we are investing a lot of resources in support of the Federal Government towards police reform, as seen through various training supported by local and international partners and the recent recruitment of 10,000 police personnel.
“While we welcome this recruitment, we are worried about the renewed and needless controversy associated with the power games around police recruitment, despite the Supreme Court‘s judgment of July 11, 2023, which affirmed the power of the PSC to handle police recruitment functions.
“We believe that this controversy does not serve the interest of the NPF as an institution or the interest of the country,” it said.
The CSOs called President Tinubu to holistically address this issue and reverse the action in line with best democratic practices and constitute the Board of the Commission.
The group further called on to the National Assembly to use its powers of checks and balances to moderate the actions of the Executive.
The coalition also called for the conclusion of the police recruitment process, including training and deployment, considering that the IGP said no fewer than 20,000 police personnel needed to be recruited annually to boost police manpower requirements.
According to them, the total disregard for the rule of law in this instance further fuels the fears of the Nigerian people about the vulnerability of the operations of the Nigeria Police by the political class.
“This is not good for our democracy and standing in the comity of nations.
“We are looking forward to a quick and positive resolution of the situation for the good of a thriving democracy and the good of the country,” it said.
The Mr Okechukwu Nwangwuma, Executive Director of Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Center (RULAAC) who made the statement available to Journalists listed other CSOs to include. NOPRIN Foundation, Open Society on Justice Reform Project, Confluence of Rights, Nigeria, Criminal Justice Network of Nigeria and Justice for Peace and Development Initiative.
Others were Legal Resources Consortium, Centre for Community Empowerment in Conflict and Peacebuilding – Kaduna, Rural and Urban Development Initiative, Dataphyte Foundation, Equity International Initiative and Centre For Youth Participation Dialogue and Advocacy (CYPA), Africa .
Others include Advocacy Hub International, Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development IRIAD, Human Right Advocacy and Monitoring Group (HURAMG), Creative Minds Center for Youth and Community Development (CM-CYCD) and Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society.
Also were Kuyimiki Development Initiative, Centre for the Advocacy of Justice and Rights, Centre for Transparency Advocacy, Koyenum Immalah Foundation and Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre.
