IG Slot: Northern Leaders Arm-twist Jonathan To Appoint Muslim

With a few hours to the retirement of the Inspector General of Police

(IGP) Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, northern muslim leaders have heightened

pressure on President Goodluck Jonathan to appoint a muslim successor.

Pointblanknews.com gathered that the northern leaders have told Jonathan

to appoint another muslim as replacement or forfeit their support in 2015.

The same leaders, led by billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote and

prominent traditional rulers from the north had failed to convince

Jonathan to extend the tenure of Zamfara-born Abubakar.

Pointblanknews.com gathered that the lobbyists have recommended Suleiman

Abba, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7. He had

served as Commissioner of Police in Lagos and Rivers States.

This is the first time religion would be introduced as a basis for the

appointment of the IG, a position that has been dominated by northern

muslims.
The leaders, it was gathered, had accused Jonathan of populating vacant

offices, particularly in the military and para-military agencies with

christians.
It was not clear if the president had succumbed to the lobbyists, given

that he (Jonathan) has appointed two northern muslims IG in a row, and

both men turned out to be a huge disappointment.
Since 1999, the duo of the immediate past IGP, Hafiz Ringim and Mohammed

Abubakar are the least lettered police bosses.
While Ringim had a diploma, Abubakar joined the service with a Teacher's

Grade II certificate and wangled his way to the top even when his course

mates from the south would be retiring as Assistant Commissioners of

Police (ACP).
Since 1964, when Mr. Louis Edet became the first indigenous IG, ten

muslims have held the coveted position against six christians.

The ten muslims jointly served for over 38 years. Musiliu Smith and Tafa

Balogun are muslim Yoruba, and jointly served for less than six years.

Since Edet left as IG, the other Christians who have held the position

are Sunday Adewusi (1981- 1983), Etim Iyang (1985- 1986), and Sunday

Ehindero (2005-2007).
Michael Okiro was the fourth Christian, and the first Igbo to be appointed

IG. He served from 2007 to 2009. He was succeeded by another Christian and

Igbo, Ogbonnaya Onovo who served for eight months.

Kam Salem, Gambo Jimeta and Ibrahim Coomasie spent nearly 20 years as IG.

A top presidency source told Pointblanknews.com that President Jonathan

was disappointed at the resort to religion, even when it was clear that

muslims have spent more time in powerful military and civil positions than

christians.
The source said Jonathan wouldn't fall for such cheap blackmail for an

appointment that is solely his to make.
“Nobody dictates to the President on whom to appoint as IG. It is a

decision only Mr. President can take. So, I don't think he would fall for

such cheap blackmail.
“The same elements blackmailed him into sacking his brother, the late

General Owoeye Azazi. They had told him that Boko Haram would end the day

he appoints a Fulani NSA. What has happened since the appointment of Col.

Dasuki Sambo? Mr. President can't afford to be fooled this time around,”

the source added.
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