THE PRESENCE OF THE LAGOS STATE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AT THE VENUE OF THE INAUGURATION OF THE CITY BOY MOVEMENT, LAGOS STATE CHAPTER

THE PRESENCE OF THE LAGOS STATE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AT THE VENUE OF THE INAUGURATION OF THE CITY BOY MOVEMENT, LAGOS STATE CHAPTER

The attention of the City Boy Movement has been drawn to comments, reports and public commentary seeking to attach political significance to the attendance of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, at the inauguration of the City Boy Movement's Lagos State Chapter. 

For the avoidance of doubt, the mere presence of the Commissioner of Police at a public event should not, without more, be interpreted as political endorsement, partisan participation or institutional alignment with the organisers of that event.

Public officers, particularly those charged with maintaining law and order, regularly attend or deploy personnel to public gatherings in the discharge of their official responsibilities. Such responsibilities extend to political, civic, religious, professional, educational and community events where security considerations require their presence or supervision. Their attendance at such events, standing alone, does not constitute support for, affiliation with or endorsement of any organisation or cause.

The constitutional and statutory responsibilities of the Nigeria Police Force include the preservation of public peace, the protection of lives and property, the prevention and detection of crime, and the maintenance of law and order during lawful public assemblies. These responsibilities are owed equally to all persons and organisations without discrimination and should not be misconstrued as evidence of institutional bias or political preference. 

Accordingly, it is neither fair nor accurate to infer, solely from the Commissioner's attendance, that the Nigeria Police Force has taken a partisan position or abandoned its obligation of professional neutrality. Public institutions should be assessed on the basis of objective facts rather than conjecture or speculation.

The City Boy Movement respects the constitutional role and institutional independence of all security agencies. We neither seek nor expect preferential treatment from any agency of government. Like every law-abiding organisation, we expect only that our lawful activities will continue to enjoy the protection guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other applicable laws.

We equally acknowledge and appreciate the professional security arrangements that ensured the peaceful, orderly and incident-free conduct of the inauguration. Professional policing contributes significantly to public confidence in democratic institutions and facilitates the exercise of citizens' constitutional freedoms, including the right to peaceful assembly.

We therefore urge members of the public, stakeholders and commentators to exercise restraint, promote factual discourse and refrain from attributing partisan motives where no credible evidence exists. Responsible public commentary strengthens democratic institutions, whereas speculation and misinformation unnecessarily undermine public confidence in institutions established to serve all Nigerians. 

The City Boy Movement remains steadfast in its commitment to peaceful democratic engagement, responsible political participation, respect for the rule of law, and constructive nation-building in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

Bashir Ahmad, OON

National Director

Media Monitoring & Rapid Response

City Boy Movement