A human rights group, the Global Centre for Peace and Justice, has alleged that other consideratyions other than merit, have been introduced into promotion of personnel in the Nigeria Police.
It said politics has been introduced into the promotion exercise in the police, especially the last set of movement in the force.
It has thus petitioned the National Assembly to urgently intervened before merit is completely sacrificed on the alter of politics.
The President of Global Centre for Peace and Jusitce, Barrister A.C.B. Agbazure, who signed the petition said the group was pointing out the shortcoming because of the crucial role of security to any country.
The petition, addressed to the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, Agbazure said: “We are persuaded principally by section 14 (2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which provides that ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary responsibility of government.’ Our interest here is ‘Security.’
“It is clear that for some time now Nigeria as a country has been facing very serious security challenges and the inability of some police officers to rise to the occasion in their own areas of jurisdiction has generated public outcry.
“Any attempt in the Nigeria police, therefore, to murder meritocracy on the altar of mediocrity must not be condoned.
“It is in the light of the forgoing, that the global centre for peace and Justice is questioning the discriminatory promotions effected recently in the Nigeria police.
“Out of 91 police commissioners, the 89th in order of seniority, Mr. Solomon Arase, was made a deputy Inspector-General of Police.
“The 34th in seniority, Peter Visa, the 39th Marvel Akpoyibo, and the 52nd in seniority, Abdulraman Akano, were also made Deputy Inspectors-General of Police.
“Thirteen other Commissioners of Police were also elevated to the rank of Assistant Inspectors-General of police.
“While we congratulate those appointed, it is however worrisome that the 2nd most senior amongst the 91 Police commissioners, who is even a fellow of the war college (fwc) and many others who were seniors to their then fellow Commissioners of Police were sidelined and discriminated against.
“The simple impression is that the Police, a principal security apparatus, is either being politicised or favouratism has set in.
“At a time when insecurity is greatly threatening the corporate unity and existence of our country Nigeria, at a time when the best heads are needed to man the security of lives and property in Nigeria, at a time when soldiers are invited to protect Police stations in some parts of Nigeria, shall we sit back and allow Godfatherism, favouratism, khaki booth licking and politics to overawe, overwhelm and destroy the Police Institution?
“We hear, there are also plans to retire these police commissioners after discriminating against them because they seem not to have anybody.
“Some of them may even be the best hands that Nigeria needs and who may have been doing so well at their different areas of Jurisdiction.
“One begins to wonder under which law, these men are operating.
“It is copious, however, that these debilitating actions are contrary to section 42 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the African charter on human and peoples’ rights, several International Conventions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 and even the Nigerian Police Act.
“It is incontrovertible that wrong choices/selections could weaken the Spirit of Service in the Nigeria Police, enthrone mediocrity which could ultimately endanger the lives and property of Nigerians. The Boko Haram experience is still with us and very fresh.
“We therefore earnestly urge the Senate to probe the latest promotions in the Interest of Nigerians.”