The relationship between the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) appears not to be at its best following supremacy struggle over on-going recruitment of Constables into the Force.
The commission in a press statement by its Head, Press and Public Relations Ikechukwu Ani, Wednesday in Abuja, accused the Force of inviting candidates for medicals without the involvement of the commission which has the constitutional mandate for appointment.
“The attention of the Police Service Commission has been drawn to a list circulating in the social media and originating from the Nigeria Police Force website containing some names of candidates who applied for recruitment into the NPF for position of Constables.
“The candidates according to the information are invited for medical screening scheduled for 9th to 14th of September 2019. It has been observed that as at the afternoon of today, Wednesday, September 4th, 2019, the list has been withdrawn from their Website.
“The commission will like to report that the list was compiled solely by the Nigeria Police Force without the involvement of the PSC, the body that has the constitutional mandate for appointment,” the statement read in part.
The spokesperson further stated, “All candidates who took part in the aptitude test held on Saturday, August 3, 2019, are hereby to watch out for the authentic list that will emerge after the meeting of the bodies.
“The leadership of the commission since coming into office, has been doing everything possible to restore sanity not only in the recruitment exercise but also in all other facets of the mandate of the commission.
“The commission wishes to state that it will never compromise or abdicate its constitutional mandate and will continue to insist that the recruitment exercise is merit driven, transparent and in conformity with the Public Service Rules and Federal Character principle. It will resist any attempt to sabotage its efforts in this direction.”
Ani said, “Applicants are therefore advised not to panic or despair as all their interests will be adequately protected.”
However, the Force Public Relations Office DCP Frank Mba could not be reached to confirm the development at the time of going to press.
