The Police Service Commission (PSC) has bowed to pressure from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following the appointment of PSC Commissioner, Najatu Mohammed, Representing Women Interest and the North West in the commission as one of the coordinators for the monitoring of police conduct in the February 25 presidential election.
PSC Head, Press and Public Relation, Ikechukwu Ani, in a press statement, Monday in Abuja, said: “The attention of the PSC has been drawn to a press statement by the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) on the appointment of Hon Commissioner Najatu Mohammed, Representing Women Interest and the North West in the Commission as one of the Coordinators for the monitoring of Police conduct in the February 25 presidential election which the Council accused of partisanship.
“The statement signed by Director of Public Affairs and Chief Spokesperson Tinubu/Shettima PCC, Festus Keyamo (SAN), rejected the appointment of Commissioner Najatu as Coordinator for the exercise.
“The campaign council’s spokesperson claimed the appointment is not only callous, it is insensitive, openly confrontational and consequently unacceptable by the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council.”
Ani stated that, “The PCC wishes to state with all sense of responsibility that it’s commissioners representing different geopolitical zones have always supervised assignments of the commission in the geopolitical zones they represent. It was the same with the present national assignment.
“The commission has, however, decided to mandate Assistant Inspector General of Police AIG Bawa Lawal (retd), who is from the same geopolitical zone with Commissioner Najatu, to take over the coordination of the monitoring police conduct in the zone.
“The commission will always be sensitive to the wishes of Nigerians and will continue to contribute it’s quota to the sustenance of the nation’s democracy.
“It wishes to restate it’s commitment to a free and fair 2023 elections where the Police as the lead agency in internal security which includes election policing will discharge it’s duties according to the dictates of the law.”
