As the Police Service Commission’s members’ indefinite strike enters its second week, civilian employees of the commission have demanded Musilu Smith, the chairman, step down immediately. The striking workers, who gathered in Abuja over the weekend, promised to vote out Smith, a retired inspector general of police, from the commission’s board due to his claimed incompetence.
A statement by Mr. Adoyi Adoyi, head of the Joint Service Union, PSC branch, sees the striking workers pledge to stage a large-scale demonstration soon if Smith does not resign and their demands are not satisfied by the federal government. They are requesting the immediate resignation of Mr. Smith, the chairman of the PSC,” Adoyi stated. Anything less would force us to pass a vehement vote of no confidence in the Smith-led PSC Board of Directors using every legal tool at our disposal. They are requesting his immediate resignation in order to make room for a capable and law-abiding citizen whose leadership will uphold the word and spirit of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Constitution.
Last Monday, the employees went on an indefinite strike over an alleged violation of the rules of engagement and ongoing meddling by the IG, Usman Baba, among others, in the commission’s official functions. Adoyi said it was very disappointing that there had been no real dialogue since the strike started last week and added that the workers wouldn’t come back to work unless the federal government resolved all the issues at once. The PSC employees bemoaned the incompetence of the PSC leadership for the well-known #EndSARS protest, which broke out in response to attacks, extrajudicial killings, and citizen extortion.
