Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Baba said on Wednesday that police are investigating some governors for allegedly inciting the public against the federal government over the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) naira redesign policy.
Mr. Baba said this while briefing reporters after the National Security Council meeting at the State House.
He said the constitutional immunity the governors enjoy will not stop the ongoing investigation, but added that police may not be able to pursue the prosecution.
He pointed out that despite the immunity, the police will issue warnings to those governors so that they desist from inciting.
“Investigation, we are investigating. Whoever does anything can be investigated, but to be prosecuted there are people who have immunity. I think that’s one of the reasons. But that will not stop us from warning you, warning you and advising you and we are doing so. That is at the incitement of the governors,” Baba said in response to a question from journalists.
The CBN’s naira policy and the scarcity associated with it has turned President Muhammadu Buhari against some of the country’s governors.
The president’s decision to ignore the Supreme Court’s directive on the legal status of former N1,000 and N500s has further exacerbated the open confrontation of some governors who have ordered residents of their states to ignore the president’s directive on the CBN policy.
Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai
Although Baba did not name the governors who are under investigation, Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa and Dapo Abiodun told residents of their states to continue spending the old notes in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directive. In some cases, some governors have threatened revoke the certificate of occupancy of banks that reject old banknotes in compliance with the directive of the federal government.
Amid heated controversy over the issue, the naira’s shortage has worsened and banks have become targets of attack. In Ogun State, around 10 bank buildings have been burned.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court adjourned the case brought by the governors until March 3.
Why we deploy staff to Lagos, Ogun — Akali
Speaking further, Mr. Baba said that there is a joint security operation on the streets of Lagos and Ogun State to ensure stability ahead of the elections on Saturday.
He noted that security personnel are not targeting any individual or political party.
“These are joint operations, aimed at stabilizing the internal security order before the elections. They are not operations that are aimed at the election, but rather to stabilize the situation, especially the one that arose as a result of the currency exchange or whatever we call it, where people continue to destroy, destroy and even set fires and so on and so on.
“So this is what is required to lower the situation, stabilize it, but on election day you will not see them at the polling stations,” he said.
Mr. Baba also reiterated that the police and the armed forces are ready for the general elections and stated that they have assured the security council that they are ready for the elections.
He noted that the navy, army and air force are ready to support the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a peaceful election.
Elections will go ahead as planned — Malami
Federation Attorney General Abubakar Malami in his speech said that INEC President Mahmood Yakubu has assured the security council that the commission is ready to hold the elections.
He said that all security agencies and the armed forces informed the council about their preparation before the elections.
“The National Security Adviser made a presentation; the Chief of the Defense Staff made one; The Army Chief of Staff submitted; The Chief of the Naval Staff submitted, the Chief of the Air Staff did; Inspector General of Police, who, by the way, is also addressing you, submitted; Director General, State Security Service did; and indeed DG NIA and CDI made presentations.
Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami. [PHOTO CREDIT: Official Twitter handle of Mr Malami || @MalamiSan]“The summary and conclusion of all the presentations was in the sense that the system is wholeheartedly ready for the election to be held and, from there, the position of the government, the position of the president is in the sense of that the election takes place from February 25, 2023.
“And Mr. President and the National Security Council are happy with the preparations on the ground and unconditional arrangements have been put in place in that direction,” he said.
The raging crisis stemming from CBN’s policy and the consequent shortage of new banknotes have raised fears that the elections may be postponed.