Police Finally Name Officer Who Said Igbo Man Can Never Be President

SP Abimbola Adebisi, spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, has finally identified the officer in that viral video as Osumah Frank. The man was filmed telling the world that Peter Obi, the NDC presidential candidate, or any Igbo man at all, can never become President of Nigeria. He said it with his full chest, in that uniform that we pay for with our taxes.

Now the command says disciplinary action has begun, and that his remarks were made in his personal capacity. Personal capacity. Wearing the uniform of the Nigeria Police Force, speaking as an officer, and we are told it is personal. CP Tijani Fatai has reiterated that personnel must maintain professionalism, civility, discipline and respect for members of the public. Respect. From the same institution that took weeks to even name this man after the video had circulated everywhere.

Who is suffering here? Every Igbo trader in Lagos who has been told, one way or another, that this country is not for him. Every Nigerian who pays tax to fund a force that houses officers who believe a whole region cannot lead. The command says it will not condone any conduct capable of bringing the Force into disrepute. So let us see the punishment. Will Osumah Frank be dismissed, or will this end with a transfer and a seminar on civility?