Police Promotions: No Ethnic Colorations – PSC Assures Ohanaeze
BY EDMOND ODOK – The Police Service Commission (PSC) says contrary to claims of ethnic bias and skewed promotions by the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the recent wind of elevations in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) passed all quality test of institutional best practices.
According to the Commission, it will at no time deliberately marginalize any geo-political zone in promoting and deploying senior Police officers in the country.
The PSC further assured that its operations and activities will always be guided by established rules as they affect promotions in the police force and in Nigeria’s larger interest.
Further dismissing insinuations of clannish contemplations in the recent exercise, the PSC said in a statement by its Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, that promotions of senior police officers, including promotion into the office of Commissioner of Police are based on the availability of vacancies.
It said other criteria include: Seniority; an officer being free of any pending disciplinary matter; and merit, except in few cases of special promotion.
The Commission statement reads; “The Ohanaeze noted that only one Igbo son was promoted to the rank of CP in the recent exercise; and also that all Commissioners of Police in the South East are Northerners. It also observed that not many Igbo Officers are in the high echelon of the Force.
“The Commission holds the Ohanaeze and its leadership in high esteem; and will wish to clarify its position in the Promotion and placement of senior Police officers.
“The Commission wishes to state that Promotions of senior Officers including Promotion into the office of Commissioner of Police are based on the availability of vacancies; seniority; free of any pending disciplinary matter and also merit; except in few cases of special promotion.
“Even for a special promotion, there are laid down rules, regulations, and conditions which an Officer must satisfy such as; must have stayed two years in a rank; must not have had any special Promotion in the immediate past five years and must not have a Pending Disciplinary Matter (PDM).”
Giving further explanation on the matter, the statement said; “The Commission also allows the Inspector General, who is the operational head of the Police; to recommend qualified and deserving Officers to the Commission for Promotion. This is a synergy the Commission has forged with the Police; to ensure complementarity in the management of its Officers.
“Also, the Commission does not and has never approved Promotion of any Officer based on ethnic; or any other consideration except the ones stated above.”
“The Commission wishes to assure the leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo that it will at no time consciously marginalize any section of the country; in the Promotion and deployment of senior Police Officers.
“The Commission will continue to be guided by the established rules guiding Promotions in the police; and in the larger interest of the Nigerian nation.”
In criticising recent promotions by the PSC, Ohanaeze Ndigbo had alleged bias towards Police officers of the South East extraction as the zone only had one officer promoted out of 37 who were lifted to their next ranks.
