*Enough is enough: Leave the IGP Alone!*
Nupe Foundation is the umbrella, socio-cultural organisation for all Nupe speaking people all over the world. As a Foundation made up of reputable individuals who are interested in the peaceful co-existence and development of our country, Nigeria, we are constrained at this time to speak on an issue that shouldn’t have been an issue in the first place.
Nupe people are known for respect for self and others. An average Nupe person avoids, at all cost, anything that would bring shame or disrespect to himself, his family or community. Hence, anywhere you meet a Nupe person, his default behaviour is that of mutual respect, tact and calmness in all affairs. Any surprise why we have given this country so many men and women who have served her meritoriously, in all facets and at all cadres without any blemish till they honourably finished?
But as it is, our calmness and respectful disposition are being tested. One of our own, in the person of Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris (Zanna Nupe) has, in the past weeks, been the subject of multi-pronged sinister attacks by individuals and groups who apparently do not mean well for the present Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and the nation at large.
To set the records straight, our coming out to speak at this point in time is not only because the IGP is a Nupe man but more because he is an honourable, disciplined , committed and loyal Nigerian who has vowed to do his job according to the rules of his engagement. As a result of his resolve, he is being attacked from different angles. Just as it is unnatural to support anyone, even from among us, who is found culpable of any offence, so has it become even more a moral duty for us to stand up for anyone who is being persecuted simply for choosing to do the right thing regardless of who's involved.
Anyone familiar with the service records of the present IGP knows that his appointment as acting IGP and the subsequent confirmation as the substantive IGP were not by accident but recourse to merit and outstanding personal discipline rooted in his determination to do his job honourably and creditably. It is also trite knowledge that the Muhammadu Buhari led administration is strong on the fight against corruption and insecurity and those who perpetuate them. And because of the vital role of the police in the ongoing war against merchants of crime and insecurity, the office of the IGP has become a lot more sensitive.
So far, we have all seen the tremendous successes the Nigeria Police has recorded in their resolve to fight crime and criminality. No one would claim to have missed the drastic reduction in crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, cattle rustling, and so on. Expectedly, individuals and groups who are bent on returning to or maintaining the old ways where crime was the only means to stupendous wealth and power are not happy with the stance of the current IGP who, everyday, keeps coming up with innovations and motivation to improve on the activities of the officers and men of the Nigeria Police.
At this point, it is important to point out that we have been patiently watching the turn of events of the past weeks with keen interest. It is clear to us that the man who has been in the forefront of the attacks on the person of the IGP, Senator Hamman Misau, is not working alone. This, we know for sure. He is representing a group of vested interests, doing their dirty biddings to tarnish the image of the IGP at all cost so that, in their corrupt intentions, they can give the IGP a bad name just to hang him.
It is on record that under the present IGP, search warrants have been issued to carry out lawful searches in the homes of some highly placed persons. In a number of instances, incriminating evidences that are helping the course of investigations into questionable wealth were found and this is not going down well with quite a number of those concerned. But our question is; how can we make progress as a country if certain individuals still see themselves as ‘untouchables’? Mind you, these are individuals who have sworn to uphold ‘rule of law’.
The fact that even from within the Nigeria Police, there are corrupt officers and men who are not comfortable with the current No. 1 police officer is also known to us. There are bad eggs everywhere and when someone who is bent on bringing sanity to bear on the way things are done comes on board, it is expected that the corrupt would only smile in the open but what is in their hearts remain in their hearts. This too, we know and we are watching moves.
Our observation of the entire matter also saw a political dimension to it. Election year is just around the corner. Politicians who know they would find it difficult to win in a free and fair election but have to resort to the old ways of rigging with the aid of security personnel are scared. They have seen the current IGP’s staunch loyalty to his conscience and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and they are threatened by it. Hence, they too are interested in hanging the IGP. But like the sun, when it shines, a palm, no matter how well greased, cannot cover it.
Still on the political dimension to the charade, there are people who want to get at the President and have resolved to use the IGP as their soft target. Their intention is to discredit the President by disparaging his appointee in the person of the IGP. What they have failed to realise is that the IGP is not alone, he is with truth, honesty and courage in addition to the millions of Nigerian citizens who are solidly behind him in support of the good works of President Muhammadu Buhari especially in the areas of ensuring the security of lives and property.
Interestingly, the front man of the attack on the IGP, a former police officer himself, is also a serving Senator in the Nigerian Senate. The Nigerian Senate and indeed, the National Assembly, as an institution, is meant to host men and women who are the custodians of our honoured values and norms. The Senate, presently headed by Senator Bukola Saraki (Turakin Raya Nupe), must maintain its reputation by not allowing itself to be reduced to an appendage of some vested interests. The Senate President must be reminded that as the ‘Turakin Raya Nupe’, he is expected to uphold all that is good about the time-honoured characters of the Nupes (mutual respect, calmness and tact) at all times. He was honoured with such a title for a reason.
It is not in our place to give vent to the spurious allegations raised against the IGP by Senator Hamman Misau. We wouldn’t want to propagate clearly, baseless and mostly childish rants of a man on a sinister mission. It is a known fact that there are issues surrounding the character and public conduct of the Senator form Bauchi State but again, it is not in our tradition to speak of the bad behaviours of people in public. Our upbringing doesn’t permit that. But then again, we are not cowards!
Our call to all parties involved is to eschew emotions and follow the path of reason and rationality. Nigeria is more important than our personal or group interests and ambitions. Wherever we find good people who are determined to do the right thing to salvage our country, we owe it to our conscience to support them. We have been on the path of pursuing personal goals at the detriment of collective goals for too long. Together, we can make this country great again.
On this note, Nupe Foundation is saying “enough is enough” to all those aiming their spears at the IGP and all good, public-spirited citizens. Let us remember at all times that before we splutter mud on oths, our own hands must first be dirty!
Long live Nupe Foundation,
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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