By Olarewaju Ogunniyi
A public Affairs Analyst, Comrade Abdulateef Ishowo has called for review of the Nigerian constitution to address the issue of excessive usage of power by the political elites.
Comrade Abdulateef Ishowo, Public Affairs Analyst, Author
Ishowo made this call while featuring as a guest on Diamond FM News and Current Affairs Program “E bawa dasi”,
It will be recalled that a video has gone viral on social Media where the Niger State Governor, Umar Bago ordered his security aides to beat a cleric.In the video the Governor reportedly said in Hausa Language that “I have power”.
Ishowo maintained that the nation must review her constitution to punish any political elite that misuse power.
“Nigeria has a law but the problem is lack of political will to punish those that violate the law”. Ishowo, an advocate of State Police furthered that excessive usage of power must not be an excuse for Nigeria not to adopt State Police.
The constitution of the country recognizes Governor as the chief officer of the State but has no control over the commissioner of Police in the State.
Most of the Governors are collecting security votes but security is not under their control.
Nigeria should invite technocrats from the academics to study how state police works in the United Kingdom and the United States of America, to draw out a template to use” he added.
He reiterated that lack of proper leadership selection is the bane of Nigeria development, calling for a better leadership selection process so as to get in competent individuals into the corridors of power.
Comrad Ishowo also called on all citizens to rise up as a nation in condemning any act of excessive use of power by the political elites.
“What happened in Niger State is condemnable, the security operative that allegedly slapped the cleric acted against his rule of engagement, people at the event that were laughing should have called the Governor to order”.