Though Ani said Musiliu Smith’s resignation was on health grounds and President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted it, TheNiche reliably gathered that his resignation has something to do with the supremacy tussle which has literally paralysed new recruitments into the Force.
By Emma Ogbuehi
Following the intractable dispute between the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Musiliu Smith, has resigned his position as the chairman of the PSC.
Yet to be confirmed report say that Smith is expected to hand over to Retired Justice Clara Ogunbiyi representing the judiciary at the commission.
Ikechukwu Ani, the PSC spokesman, confirmed his resignation.
Though Ani said Musiliu Smith’s resignation was on health grounds and President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted it, but TheNiche reliably gathered that his resignation has something to do with the supremacy tussle which has literally paralysed new recruitments into the Force.
The source said Smith was pushed out because the Board of the Commission asked him to resign and he accepted.
The commission and the office of the Inspector-General of Police had been at loggerheads over which body has the right to conduct the recruitment into the Force.
The PSC had advertised recruitment for constables and urged interested applicants to visit its website to apply.
But the police in a statement urged members of the public to ignore the notice, insisting that the recruitment process is the sole responsibility of the Force.
Ani was quoted as saying: “Yes he resigned on his own on medical grounds and the President has accepted his resignation.’’
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His resignation came amid the long disagreement between the Commission and the Nigeria Police Force on recruitment exercises.
Ani noted that the Commission was yet to issue an official statement on Musiliu Smith’s resignation.
Smith, whose tenure is scheduled to end in July 2023, served the Commission for over four years.
He was appointed as IGP in May 1999 and retired in March 2002 following a police strike.
Ani said an official statement on his resignation will be issued on Thursday.