Tasks before new IGP Mohammed Adamu

At last, Idris Ibrahim, Nigeria’s former Inspector General of Police has been retired having served the country for about 35 years as a public servant. Already, President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Mr. Mohammed Adamu as the country’s new Inspector General of Police, IGP in acting capacity.
The immediate past IGP Idris’ retirement had before yesterday, generated controversy over speculations that President Buhari had planned to extend his tenure beyond January 16, being his actual retirement date. So, his retirement two days ago has sort of calmed frayed nerves especially, as the opposition had apparently smelled a rat over their suspicion that the ex-police boss’ speculated tenure extension was not unconnected with the scheduled presidential election next month.
Adamu’s appointment is no doubt coming at a very critical period in the annals of Nigeria coming barely one month to the presidential election that has seemingly polarized Nigerians, although the new Acting IGP Adamu has given assurances of resolve to maintain high ethical standards the discharge of his duties while speaking with state house correspondents Tuesday, after being decorated with his new rank by President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Adamu has equally assured that the police would discharge the 2019 electoral duty with professionalism. His assurance came on the heels of a call by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the newly appointed IGP to “serve Nigerians rather than tow the line of his predecessor” whom the party alleged served the ruling party, APC.
PDP made the allegation in Osogbo-Tuesday, during a presidential campaign rally of the party with its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in attendance.
Adamu further stated: “We will not go outside the ethics of our job to do things that are untoward. Everybody will be given level-playing ground to play his or her politics”.
Nigerians expect nothing less than high level professionalism from the country’s new chief cop ahead of the 2019 general elections. Since the police like any other public institution, is paid with tax payers money, it therefore behoves the Nasarawa State-born new police chief to ensure the protection of lives and property of every Nigerian rich or poor irrespective of political party affiliation. He should ensure a paradigm, shift in the activities of the rank and file in the force. The new Acting IGP should shun political influences with the 2019 general elections in sight.
Let him have it at the back of his mind that after rain must come shine as a day of reckoning shall surely come.