The House of Representatives has passed a vote of no confidence on the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and called for the immediate dismissal of the police chief.
The vote of no confidence on the IG followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Abubakar Dambaram (APC, Kano).
In the motion is entitled, ‘need to curb thuggery development in political activities in Kano and Nigeria in general,’ the IGP was also accused of unprofessionalism and partisanship in his conducts.
In his motion, Danbaram accused the police of being partisan in the conflict between Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso and the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje while aiding thuggery and violence by politicians.
“Unfortunately, the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies which sometimes are present at the scene thuggery have deliberately refused to take actions against the perpetrators of this illegal act,” he said, warning that if the ugly incidence is unchecked, it has the potential to lead to break down of law and order.
He also accused a top member of the House of Representatives of being the sponsor of thuggery in Kano State, saying: “the recent thuggery experience in Kano was championed by a current high ranking member of this hallow chamber, I have photographs as being circulated in the social media as evidence to back my position.
“Some politicians are responsible for arming the thugs and sponsoring fetish-related protection for the thugs as a way to intimidate or assassinate political opponents.”
Danbaram described the action of the Commissioner of Police in Kano state in preventing Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso from visiting to his constituency as height of impunity.
Supporting the motion, Akiu Madaki (APC, Kano) reminded the House that the an ad-hoc committee of the Parliament had once recommended the dismissal of Kano State Commissioner of Police, and described the action of the cop which he said is at the behest of the Inspector General, as a breach of section 40 and 41 of the 1999 constitution.
Opposing the motion, the Chief Whip of the House, Alhassan Doguwa (APC, Kano) said the motion is “misleading, misinforming, misguiding and mischievous.”
Doguwa’s comment however drew sharp criticisms from members, some of whom booed him until he withdrew the “mischievous” comment following a point of order raised by kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers).
The chief whip stated that the police did not prevent Kwankwaso from entering Kano, rather advised him as the proposed date of his visit clashed with a rally by the ‘Gandujiyya’ movement.
He also added that both sides of the conflict are involved in thuggery.
Also opposing the motion, Abdullahi Gaya (APC, Kano) informed the House that Kano election has always been beset by violence, as he said that two lawmakers died during a local government election.
He also accused Kwankwaso of benefiting from the violent nature of Kano politics, narrating an incidence where Sen. Kabir Gaya’s (APC, Kano) life was threatened during an election when Kwankwaso was Governor.
He also alledged that both sides have thugs, stressing that “no one can claim that he doesn’t have thugs.”
The House therefore resolved to urge the Federal government to sack the IG of Police and replace him with a competent and professional officer.
