Group raises alarm on new Lagos police commissioner

The Coalition of Ethnic Nationalities for the Atiku Agenda (CENTAA) has expressed concerns over the decision to replace the Lagos Police Commissioner, Mr. Edgal Imohinmi, with Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, the former Chief Security Officer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Tinubu is also the co-Chairman of the Campaign Council of President Muhammadu Buhari.

CENTAA stated that the new posting smelt like part of a grand plot to unduly favour the ruling APC in the coming state and Federal polls.

In a statement issued by its President, Honourable Adeoye Jolaosho, in Lagos on Monday, CENTAA said Egbetokun’s background of close affinity with chieftains of the ruling party could not guarantee that he would not influence his subordinates against subjugating a free, fair and credible poll on March 6.

“While we concede that the top police hierarchy has the prerogative to deploy and assign portfolios to its personnel as it deems fit. We however believe that such a power must and should be exercised with caution in a manner that would give confidence to all segments of the society,” the statement read.

In articulating the grouse of the organisation further, the statement said:  “While not taking anything away from the new Commissioner, we must however express our opposition to this posting because the officer involved was at one time the Chief Security Officer to a chieftain of the APC, former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu between 1999 and 2007.”

CENTAA, however, faulted the decision to redeploy the former Police Commissioner, Mr. Edgal Imohinmi, whose performance it commended.

“There was no basis for the redeployment of the former Police Commissioner, who, by all standards, performed professionally and enjoyed the confidence of all stakeholders,” Jolaosho said.

In contrast, the organisation expressed fears that Egbetokun could be easily influenced by APC.

“Owing to the strong affinity between Egbetokun and the top echelon of the APC in the state, we fear that the forthcoming election would be anything but free, fair and credible,” CENTAA said.

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