Oshiomhole backs IGP’s confirmation, as APC governors boycott Council of State meeting

The governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress boycotted the Council of State and the Police Council meetings held on Tuesday during which Suleiman Abba was confirmed as substantive Inspector General of Police.
Only the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, attended both meetings.
Briefing State House correspondents, Oshiomhole said the IGP was confirmed on merit having considered his curriculum vitae and attestation that he would transform the police.
Prior to his appointment as Acting IGP in August, Abba was an Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 7.
The Police Council, chaired by President Goodluck Jonathan, with Vice President Namadi Sambo and all the State Governors as members, unanimously confirmed Abba.
Reminded that his party, the All Progressives Congress had called for the removal of the IGP following the withdrawal of Speaker Aminu Tambuwal’s security details, Governor Oshimohole said the issue was not discussed since it is already in court.
He however said he was not against Abba’s confirmation because people who had worked with him testified to his competence.
Oshiomhole said: “This issue was not discussed at Council because as the President ‎advised, the matter is in court.
“Souncil could not discuss it.”
Oshiomhole cautioned the police authorities over their conduct, saying that they must play according to the rules at all times by treating everybody equally.
His words: “We‎ reviewed his CV, his level of competence by those who have worked with him at one time or the other and the council was unanimous that the Acting IGP be confirmed as a substantive IG and the President was accordingly advised and the President accepted the advice and appointed‎ Mallam Abba as the substantive IG of Police.
“We also recognized that ‎Police alone won’t be able to secure lives and properties.
“They will need the cooperation and collaboration of every Nigerian and when it comes to the issues of security, all of us should be seen as activists.
“At community level, state level, local level and of course at national level.
“We also agreed to do whatever we can to support the police to provide some resources to complement federal effort to see that the police have all that it needs to ensure effective policing of the Nigeria State, so that it can guarantee and ensure protection of lives and properties.
“More so that we are approaching elections and naturally this is the peak of political activities and there are security issues that are associated with politicking and electioneering ‎and we all agree that everything must be done to ensure that these season everybody plays according to the rules and that the police does its job dispassionately so that Nigerians can look forward to the elections without fear.
“On the whole, it was a good meeting and people expressed confidence that under the new IGP, ‎that the ‎Police will go through radical reform and become a far more competent police force that Nigerians can trust and respect.
“I’m clear that the IGP must see Nigeria for what it is: it is a multi-party democracy.
“He must act according to the police law, not according to the police convenience.
“These are my personal views.
“And the fact that he has been confirmed doesn’t mean if he doesn’t play according to the rules, I have forfeited my right to revise my position.
“So for now, we were unanimous that based on his pedigree, that Mallam Abba has what it takes to reposition the police. ‎
“That does not mean they will be no pressure, there will be no irritation from time to time.”
Speaking on his confirmation, the IGP had this to say: “I must tell you is a happy moment, but is also a moment of sober reflection.
“Reflection on the responsibilities, on expectations, certainly I have to work hard to ensure that I meet up with the expectations of the office.
“Truly Nigerians and in fact all people in Nigeria deserve the best from us so that we make the environment safer and secured.
“I assure you having reflected on all these we will ensure that we manage all the resources in the charge of the Nigerian police, to ensure they are used judiciously for the safety and security of Nigeria.”
Abba declined comment on the withdrawal of the Speaker’s security details, saying: “Well, that is a matter before the court and is prejudice for me to comment on it.
“I wouldn’t want to have any problem with the judiciary.”