The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Wednesday urged Nigerians to ignore the needless drama, misinformation, and politically motivated hysteria surrounding the recent directive on the withdrawal of police escorts from Very Important Personalities, VIPs.
Spokesman of the state chapter of the APC, Seye Oladejo, said the matter has been blown out of proportion by the opposition, who thrive on sensationalism rather than sober reflection.
In a statement he signed, Oladejo said the truth is simple, clear, and incontrovertible: “This policy is neither new, strange, nor targeted at any individual or group. It is a routine administrative measure aimed at restoring professionalism within the Nigeria Police Force and reinforcing the primary mandate of the police, to protect the general population, not a privileged few.
“For years, stakeholders and security experts have lamented the lopsided deployment of police personnel, where thousands of officers who should secure communities, infrastructure, and public spaces were instead attached to private individuals as status symbols. The reform is therefore a long-overdue correction, not a controversy.”
Oladejo described as unfortunate the attempts by opposition figures, ever desperate for relevance, to weaponize the issue by spinning false narratives to mislead the public.
He added: “Their loud lamentations betray a mindset that sees public institutions as personal estates. Nigeria cannot continue to fund insecurity at the national level while pampering VIP sensitivities.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Inspector General of Police deserve commendation, not criticism, for championing a reform that prioritizes the safety of millions of ordinary Nigerians.
“The Lagos APC stands firmly behind any policy that strengthens national security, improves community policing, and restores discipline to the security architecture.
“We also wish to assure the public that the decision does not affect constitutionally mandated security details for public office holders or those entitled to official protection by law. It merely curtails the abuse, excesses, and frivolous deployment of police officers to private engagements.
“In the days ahead, we expect more policy adjustments in the security sector as Nigeria accelerates its journey toward a safer, more efficient, and more accountable policing system. Those attempting to politicize this reform should be reminded that the era of impunity is over.
“In summary, the supposed outrage is unnecessary, the fear-mongering is baseless, and the attempts at politicization are dead on arrival. This is a positive step toward national security revival, nothing more, nothing less.”
Entitlement syndrome – Lagos APC hits opposition for wailing over VIPs police escort withdrawal
