The chairman of Police Service Commission (PSC), Dr. Solomon Arase, has said that the pronouncement of the Supreme Court that the Commission is the agency statutorily mandated to recruit constables for the Nigeria Police Force, has simply and legally cemented the resolution of the issue in a win-win situation for the two institutions.
Dr Arase, also a retired Inspector General of Police, noted that both institutions would not be able effectively function and deliver on respective mandates without cooperating with each other.
It will be recalled that the Supreme Court on July 11, 2023, laid to rest the contentious issue and controversy on constables’s recruitment between the PSC and the NPF.
Prior to the judgment, efforts were said to have been in process and at an advanced stage towards amicable resolution of the issue between the two institutions, as it was embarrassing to the government and other stakeholders that the duo which ought to work in harmony and mutuality had engaged in an avoidable legal dispute over an issue that sought understanding, respect and
compromise.
According to the PSC chairman, in a statement by the Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, on Sunday, August 27, “the judgment was delivered for the overall best interest of our national security, and goes to underscore the imperative need for
harmonious working relationship and mutual trust among agencies of government.”
Dr Arase stated: “Consequently, it is important that all concerned de-escalate and eschew all forms of hostilities, misconceptions, preconceptions and prejudices against each other, which were at the base of the hitherto characterising of a no love lost relationship between the Commission and the NPF.”
He noted that the unnecessary imbrogilo impacted negatively on the staff of the Police Service Commission and officers and other ranks of the Nigeria Police Force.
Speaking on moving forward, the PSC chairman announced that a Recruitment Board had been constituted, chaired by the Commission, with other relevant stakeholders as members, and would be inaugurated in no distant time.
“The Board will screen and ensure that only able and qualified members of the
public are recruited into the NPF, reflecting also the principle of Federal Character,” he disclosed.
He said that the imperativeness of peace, harmony and cordiality between the two institutions could not be over-emphasized, as contemporary security
provisioning had become more tasking than ever.
He said that it demands a robust policy guideline from the Commission, if the Nigeria Police Force must be repositioned for greater efficiency and effectiveness in not only meeting up with the myriad of security challenges confronting the nation, but also birthing a responsive, responsible and
accountable police to our people.
Arase added: “Peace is essential for growth and success of any institution in delivering on its mandate, and it is hoped that the Commission and NPF will continue to build and consolidate on the emerging trust, confidence and mutual respect which will aggregate
to foster and entrench a culture of love and symbiotic relationship between the two agencies, towards the attainment of our statutory mandates, for a greater, safer, prosperous and more secure Nigeria.”
