Finally, PSC Succumbs, Withdraws Naja’atu From 2023 Election Duty | READ MORE

Following kicks by the APC against the appointment of Naja’atu Muhammad as the North-West coordinator of police officers for the 2023 election duty, the Police Service Commission (PSC), has replaced the former with a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Bawa Lawal.

The APC through the Director of Public Affairs and Chief Spokesperson, Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Festus Keyamo, on Monday, frowned at the appointment of Muhammad who is a former Director of the party’s PCC, arguing that she is partisan and biased.

The statement read partly;

“We are deeply shocked and appalled to read a release by the Police Service Commission appointing one of its most partisan members, Naja’atu Bala Muhammad as a North-West coordinator of the presidential election. In that role, she is expected to move about freely, supervising the conduct of police officers during the elections.

“With the well-documented activities, actions and vitriols of Naja’atu in the last few weeks against our candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (after being shown the door out of the APC as a mole) we venture to say that this appointment is not only callous, it is insensitive, openly confrontational and consequently unacceptable by the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council.

“Coming at a time when President Muhammadu Buhari is constantly assuring and reassuring the world of free, fair and credible elections, it confirms our worst fears that there are functionaries of government that are actively working with the opposition to thwart the avowed commitment of Mr. President.”

“We need not emphasise that the role given to NAJA’ATU requires a honest and unbiased individual who will discharge the duties diligently and without reproach. The nation will not get that from NAJA’ATU.

“We therefore demand for the IMMEDIATE withdrawal of the name of NAJA’ATU Bala Muhammad as a coordinator of the Police Service Commission for the North-West or any region for that matter. She has an inalienable right to continue to campaign for any candidate of her choice and to vote for that candidate, but she cannot be given a garment to wear at this time that is meant only for neutrals”.

Responding to the objection and also announcing the withdrawal of Muhammed, the PSC in a statement said;

“The attention of the PSC was drawn to a press statement by the APC PCC on the appointment of Naja’atu representing women interest and the North-West in the commission as one of the coordinators for the monitoring of police conduct in the February 25 presidential election which the council accused of partisanship.

“The statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs and chief spokesperson, Tinubu/Shettima PCC, Festus Keyamo, SAN, rejected the appointment of commissioner Naja’atu as coordinator for the exercise.

“The commission wishes to state with all sense of responsibility that its commissioners representing different geopolitical zones have always supervised assignments of the commission in the geopolitical zones they represent. It was the same with the present national assignment.

“The commission has, however, decided to mandate AIG Bawa Lawal (retd.), who is from the same geopolitical zone with commissioner Naja’atu, to take over the coordination of the monitoring of police conduct in the zone.”

Recall that Naja’atu Muhammed since her resignation from the APC, has been vocal against Bola Tinubu and has shown support for Atiku Abubakar.