Some aggrieved police officers have threatened to boycott the 2023 general elections if the authorities fail to pay the six months’ arrears of the new salary structure President Muhammadu Buhari approved for the Force.
President Buhari in 2021 approved a new salary structure for the Force.
The implementation of the approved police salary structure was supposed to have commenced in January 2022, but it only started in July 2022 with only one month’s arrear of payment, with six months outstanding.
However, the police authorities claimed that the Nigerian government had not released the funds for the payment.
The police authorities in a wireless message referenced DTO: 201220/09/2022 from NIGPOL PAB FHQ Abuja to various police formations in Nigeria and titled: “Ingenpol Sec/Nigpol Admin/Dfa/Dia Abuja Paymech/Accountpol All States”, which was obtained by SaharaReporters, said the finance ministry would have to approve the funds.
It said the payment would be done through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
Speaking to SaharaReporters on Friday, one of the aggrieved policemen threatened that they will not participate in the monitoring of the general elections if their six-month salary arrears are not paid.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed February 25 and March 11 for the 2023 general elections in the country.
The officer who is an Assistant Superintendent of Police maintained that if they are mobilised to monitor the elections forcefully, they will not discharge their duties as expected.
He insisted that the Nigerian government had released the money for the payment of their arrears but the leadership of the police, starting with the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, diverted the funds and refused to pay police personnel.
“Up till now, our six-month arrears haven’t been paid, the authorities said it’s IPPIS, but IPPIS said it’s the police authorities. Ongoing rumour has it that the money is missing, funny country.
“Unfortunately, the senior officers aren’t saying anything serious about it because they know their pockets are always full. December is coming and junior officers need money to sort out their various personal problems.”
Another officer said, “We have wicked leadership, those who don’t care about their followers. Selfish people. They shouldn’t forget that the 2023 general elections are coming up. Many of our colleagues aren’t interested in monitoring any election at all, the morale is down.
“They may want to force us to go and monitor the poll but one thing is certain, we can’t be forced to do the job right when morale is not there. Like they do say, you can force a horse to the river, but you can’t force him to drink water.”
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