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Some Civil Society Organisations have asked President Bola Tinubu to come clean on controversies surrounding the tenure extension of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Recall that the National Assembly passed an Executive Bill in July which would allow the President to extend the IGP’s tenure beyond the mandatory 35 years of service or 60 years of age.
The groups, in a joint statement on Friday, said the controversy surrounding Egbetokun’s tenure was indicative of broader issues in Nigeria’s law enforcement structure and the need for reform, expressing concerns that reports of a purported extension would impact the stability of the Nigeria Police Force and the public’s trust in the institution.
Citing a letter signed by Tinubu’s Chief Of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, purportedly extending the IGP’s tenure, the CSOs questioned the authority to write such a letter if the president was yet to assent to the Executive Bill, adding that the letter could be a “flying kite” to gauge the reaction of the public to the extension.
The statement partly read, “Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria are keenly watching, with concern, developments trailing the unresolved controversy surrounding the planned extension of the tenure of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Egbetokun by President Tinubu. This controversy is indicative of broader issues within Nigeria’s law enforcement structure, touching on governance, legality and the need for reform.
“The CSOs and other stakeholders believe that the government’s approach will significantly impact the Nigeria Police Force’s stability and public trust in the institution. The situation surrounding a new letter of appointment purportedly for the Inspector-General of Police currently in circulation and the implications of the tenure extension within the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) is complex and has stirred significant debate.
“The letter signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, purportedly extending the tenure of the IGP, may have raised questions about its legitimacy and intent. While the SGF plays a role in the administration of government appointments and may facilitate the process, the actual appointment of the IGP rests with the President of Nigeria. The President, based on consultation with and advice from the Police Council, formally appoints the IGP, usually with the approval of the National Assembly. The release of such a letter might be seen as “flying a kite,” a strategy to test public reaction or gauge interest in a proposed action before fully committing to it,” among others.
The groups, therefore, called for the IGP to be replaced since he had attained the age of retirement, “to ensure adherence to established regulations and to promote capable leadership within the force.”
Some of the groups who co-signed the statement are the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda, and the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education, among others.
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