Controversial Nigerian singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to implement urgent reforms in the Nigerian Police Force.
The artiste made the appeal in a video he posted on Saturday, August 23, where he advised the President to focus on protecting the rights of citizens in addition to growing the country’s economy.
According to him, good governance goes beyond improving the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or building the economy. He noted that many Nigerians are unhappy with the present administration and that history would remember President Tinubu positively if he embarks on police reform.
“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy. There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.
“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police,” he said.
Speed Darlington described the police as an agency known for human rights abuses. He condemned what he called the practice of arresting citizens before proper investigations, stressing that such action amounts to a violation of fundamental rights.
“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it is as if they are not even doing their job. Please before you leave office, speak to your Yoruba brother, the IGP. The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you investigate,” he stated.
The singer also recounted his own personal experience, alleging that he was unlawfully detained by the police.
“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation. They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he narrated.