The Benin Consultative Forum (BCF) has called on President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to reinstate former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Dr. Solomon Arase, as Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC).
The call followed his recent removal, which has sparked significant controversy.
In an open letter signed by its members, the BCF urged the president to reverse the decision, citing violations of constitutional provisions, public service rules, and principles of natural justice.
The group emphasized that no reasons were provided for Arase’s removal, which contradicted the PSC’s established guidelines.
The BCF highlighted that the PSC was a constitutional body under section 153 (1) (m) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, which stipulates a five-year tenure for its chief executives.
The group acknowledged the president’s authority to appoint executives but stressed the need for adherence to constitutional and statutory provisions in the removal process.
The forum argued that the president might have been misadvised, leading to a disregard for due legal process.
They referenced section 157 (1) and (2) of the Constitution, which outlines the procedure for removing an appointee from the PSC, requiring a two-thirds majority Senate vote for reasons of inability to perform duties or misconduct.
The group reiterated that Dr. Arase was a dedicated public servant with an exemplary career, deserving of fair treatment and recognition.
They described his removal as a “monumental error” and urged President Tinubu to reconsider the decision, thereby upholding good judgement, due process, and constitutionalism.
Dr. Arase was appointed Chairman of the PSC by former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2023 for a five-year tenure, in accordance with constitutional requirements.
He was screened and confirmed by the Senate and sworn in March 2023.
However, President Tinubu announced his removal through a State House press release on June 10, 2024.
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