By Mohammed Nasir Shuaibu (Bauchi State Correspondent)
The National Chairman of North East Youth and Elders Peoples Forum (NEYEPF), Alhaji Salihu Magaji, has commended the Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun, for rejecting the ongoing police constable recruitment that was marred by alleged corruption and irregularities.
Magaji stated this in Bauchi when he addressed a press conference, He said those calling for the sack of IGP are self centered people who want to cover the allegations raised over the conduct of the exercise.
He said: "Any patriotic citizens once vital allegations made by a strong capacity stake holder in the exercise like IGP, he deserved to be respected, listened to and take steps to address the anomalies he observed in the interest of Nigeria and for a hitch free success of the exercise".
Magaji said before IGP raised alarm and called for a review, he obviously had received a series of complaints and allegations of corruption raised by unsuspecting candidates and stakeholders on the irregularities that marred the exercise, most especially the disappearance of the names of screened candidates who were successful to the last stage.
"The PSC portal was subsequently scrutinised and it was discovered that several names of persons purported to be names of successful candidates are those who did not even apply and therefore did not take part in the recruitment exercise and the published list also contains several names of candidates who failed either the computer-based test (CBT) or the physical screening exercise or both”.
Magaji said not even IGP who reacted without prejudice to the power of the Commission to recruit for the police as ruled by the Supreme court but this power does not include the power to recruit unqualified and untrained individuals for the police, no patriotic Nigerian that will allow this to happen except if he doesnt have the way to call for the review in order to help the country to have credible and professional police officers.
The NEYEPF Chairman said instead of the critics of the IGP to put the interest of the country before any other interest and support for a total review of the process with a view to recruiting qualified, competent, trainable and productive hands that will serve the country better, they turned themselves to unpatriotic elements by calling for the sack of the IGP for telling the truth. "Their actions is unpatriotic, and it is a clear suspicion that there is something they want to hide.
He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order for a thorough investigation into the entire police recruitment exercise and punish whoever was found wanting.
"If the hands of majority of the members of the PSC are not clean in that exercise, Mr President should evacuate all of them from the commission and replace them. He should punish the offenders according to their offences and transfer the remaining to other ministries.
Magaji said President Tinubu should also reward IGP for refusing to accept unqualified newly recruited police men, because his action protect the integrity of the Police.
He commended the IGP for his effort to provide internal security by protecting life and properties of citizens through commitment and exemplary leadership style he is exhibiting. NNL.
