On disregard for parliament

When the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, ignored the Senate’s invitation the first time and sent his deputy, many thought he was busy with security issues. When he ignored it the second time and went to Kaduna State, it was gradually becoming clear that his action was a snub. Then he did it the third time, and it dawned on all that it is a clear snub and a total disregard for the institution of the Senate. The IGP, for the third time, ignored Senate’s invitation asking him to appear before its plenary to explain the killings across Nigeria and the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Senator Dino Melaye. The action of the IGP is the latest in the series of unbecoming cases of neglect and disrespect for the constitution and democratic institutions by top appointees of President Muhammadu Buhari.

It will be recalled that the Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali, and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal have, at different times, snubbed the Senate’s invitation, prompting public outrage and subjection of the Senate to ridicule. This is  total disregard for Section 88 of the constitution which confers on the National Assembly, the power to summon a public officials. The deafening silence of President Buhari and his refusal to wade into this consistent abuse of democracy by his appointees sends a very big signal that they are doing it with maximum support from the president. What could have led to such disregard?

• We’ll drag Senate to court over verdict on IGP‎ ―Police

The IGP’s action didn’t come as a surprise. It only calls for serious concern. Before serving the Senate a piece of his unruly attitude, Idris, in January, ignored Buhari’s order to relocate to Benue State following the deadly attacks on villagers. Instead, he was in the state for barely three days before heading somewhere else. It was after over a month that Buhari expressed shock that the IGP flouted his order. Again, no action was taken by Buhari.

When the Presidency, in a statement, said Idris was summoned and queried by the president, instead of burying his head in shame for his unruly act, Idris, in his usually arrogant toga, debunked the claim and said he was never summoned, challenging the officials to show their evidence. For how long will the president continue to harbour such arrogance and flagrant disregard for  Presidential orders and other arms of government?

The acts of insubordination by the IGP and other appointees must not be allowed to continue. This is already setting a bad precedent for democracy, one that may take another decade to clean up and correct. Buhari’s inaction in the face of all this is a sign of weakness and support for the IGP. But one must do well to remind  the government that even if Idris is doing their bidding with his acts of continuous snubbing of the Senate in total disregard for the rule of law, one day, tjhings will get out of hand and this may lead to a case of the game hunting the hunter.

Now that the Senate has exhausted all its options on the IGP, and only the president has the power to wade in, it is now left to Buhari to prove doubters wrong and show that he is not in support of the IGP’s action, which the Senate described as a threat to democracy. The IGP latest action is a litmus test for the president and an avenue for the president to prove to Nigerians that he has authority over his appointees.

• Lawal is based in Abuja