IGP’s Failure To Appear Before Senate, Threat To Democracy – Saraki Ronke Sanya

Senate President Bukola Saraki on Wednesday condemned the failure of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to appear before the Senate, describing it as a threat to the nation’s democracy.

Saraki said since Nigeria returned to democracy, no IGP has failed to show

up before the Senate after being summoned. He likened failure of the IGP to appear before Senate to his alleged refusal to follow President Muhammadu Buhari’s order to relocate to Benue State

“I don’t want us to labour too much on this issue. Being the Upper Chamber, at times, we must show maturity and statesmanship. Anybody who knows that this action cannot be right. We are not a Senate in Committee. We are a Senate in plenary.

“The IG has said that he cannot come. He wants to delegate it to a junior to come. Since we returned to democracy, there has been no IG that has refused to come. He is doing this and this is a threat to our democracy. It is not only to us, it is also to the President. The President told him to go to Benue, and he refused to go,” Saraki said using the official Twitter handle of The Senate President.

For the second time, the Inspector General of Police on Wednesday failed to appear before the Senate.

He was earlier summoned by the Senate to explain police arrest of Senator Dino Melaye and incessant killings of innocent Nigerian citizens in Benue, Zamfara and Taraba states.

The Police Boss instead sent a Deputy Inspector General of Police on his behalf to brief the Senate.

The Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Na’allah, also expressed displeasure on the IG’s failure to appear before the lawmakers. he said the IGP’s action is shocking.

“The Chairman of the Police Committee has said that he is not able to reach him. What we have now is that there is no reason for his non-appearance. In this kind of situation, I must say that there is a very serious need to invite the IG based on everything that has occurred.

“Additionally, last time we invited him, he approached a court. If after sending the DIG to approach the IG about our invitation, I am in a state of shock that he has failed to appear. This does not take away the resolution of the Senate to continue to support the President on Security Issues,” he said.

Na’allah said further that there is the need for a delegation of the House, to register the displeasure of the Senate on the non-appearance of the IG of Police.

“If we begin to have this kind of conduct, it is insulting our collective resolve of this Senate to assist Mr President,” the Deputy leader said.