The Allied People’s Movement (APM), Lagos State Chapter, expresses grave concern over the widely circulated video showing the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, in attendance at the inauguration of the City Boys Movement, a political group publicly associated with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. (Instagram)
The Nigeria Police Force is a national institution entrusted with protecting all Nigerians regardless of political affiliation. The Constitution and the Police Act demand not only impartiality from police officers but also conduct that inspires public confidence in their neutrality.
While public officials may attend events in the course of official duty, appearing at a programme that is overtly identified with a political movement aligned to the ruling party raises legitimate questions about the independence and neutrality expected of the head of the Lagos State Police Command.
As the leading opposition party in Lagos State, APM is deeply concerned about the message this sends to opposition political parties, their supporters, and the electorate. Democracy can only flourish where security agencies are seen to provide equal protection and fair treatment to every political party without fear or favour.
The perception of neutrality is just as important as neutrality itself. Once the confidence of political stakeholders in the impartiality of law enforcement is eroded, the credibility of the democratic process is placed at risk.
Accordingly, APM Lagos respectfully calls on the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, to immediately redeploy CP Tijani Fatai from Lagos State in the interest of fairness, transparency, and public confidence. Such action would reassure all political actors that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to its constitutional duty of political neutrality and equal treatment under the law.
We further urge the Inspector-General to remind all senior police officers that they must avoid actions capable of creating the perception of political alignment with any party or political organisation.
APM Lagos remains committed to peaceful democratic participation and will continue to advocate for free, fair, and credible elections in which every political party enjoys equal protection under the law.
Signed
Ayodele Kazeem
State Publicity Secretary
Allied People’s Movement (APM), Lagos State Chapter
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