PANDEF Protests Arase’s Sack As Police Commission Chair

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has queried the removal of Dr. Solomon Arase as Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Arase, a former Inspector General of Police, from Edo State in the South-South, was appointed Chairman of PSC in January 2023 by former President Muhammadu Buhari but was relieved of his duty on 10th June this year.
PANDEF in a statement signed by its National Chairman, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, said Arase’s removal was a contravention of the Police Service Commission Act, which prescribed a term of four years for the Chairman.
It said Arase’s removal was unwarranted, an unnecessary provocation and lack of regard for the rule of law. It said any serious government would not remove a personality like Arase, who initiated positive reforms and improvements at the Commission.
PANDEF challenged President Tinubu to give reasons for Arase’s removal, saying the action of the President amounted to further marginalization of the Niger Delta.
The statement said the action of the President gave out his administration as one that did not prioritize competence, integrity and efficiency.
It said PANDEF had been inundated with disturbing reports of discrimination against people of the Niger Delta in the last few months, particularly regarding the mass layoffs at the Central Bank of Nigeria, disproportionately affecting staff from the southern regions, especially the South South and South East zones.
It said, “We refrained from commenting on recent challenges to allow the Tinubu administration address them. But it appears the administration has opted to sustain the discriminatory practices against the people of the South-South Geopolitical zone.
“Suffice it to remind that the sacrifices and contributions of the South-South zone to the unity and sustenance of Nigeria are unparalleled.
“We are not unaware of the conflict between the Police Service Commission and the Nigeria Police Force since 2020, majorly due to issues bordering on recruitment into the constables cadre of the Police Force.
“It is pertinent to implore that political considerations mustn’t be entertained in appointments to sensitive institutions such as the Police Service Commission.
“Mr. President should likewise note that the continued disregard for the constitution and the rule of law by the government not only mirrors negatively on law enforcement officers, the military and political leaders but also sends a dangerous message to citizens, posing a threat to Nigeria’s stability.”