Former Inspector General of Police, Sunday Ehindero, has defended the extension of the tenure of the current Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, stating that it is not illegal as long as it is based on competence.
In a statement titled “The Tenure of IGP Egbetokun: The Controversy over the Extension of Tenure,” Ehindero emphasized that President Bola Tinubu has the prerogative to decide who he wants to work with as IGP.
According to him, Egbetokun, who previously served as Tinubu’s Aide-de-Camp while he was the Assistant Inspector General of Police in Zone 2 (covering Lagos and Ogun States), is well-qualified for the role.
He maintained that if the president has chosen to retain him for a four-year tenure, as permitted by law, then the decision should stand.
“Competence backed by law should be the overriding factor in appointing and determining the tenure of an Inspector General of Police. Let Egbetokun serve his four-year tenure in peace. He deserves it based on his qualifications, performance, and competence,” Ehindero stated.
Reflecting on his own experience, Ehindero recalled that tenure extensions for Inspectors General of Police have always been contentious.
He noted that his own tenure was extended twice, in 2005 for a year and in 2007 for three months, leading to legal challenges against both him and the president at the time.
However, the court ultimately dismissed the case, ruling that it was a non-issue.
Ehindero highlighted that past regulations on IGP tenure were primarily guided by the Civil Service Rules and the Police Act and Regulation (CAP 359, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004).
However, more recent legislations, including the Police Act of 2020 and the Police Amended Act of 2024, have introduced clearer guidelines.
The 2024 amendment, he pointed out, now ensures that an IGP serves a full four-year term, regardless of whether they surpass the mandatory retirement age of 60 years or exceed 35 years in service.
He concurred with former IGP Mike Okiro, who argued that the four-year tenure policy helps prevent leadership instability in the police force.
He noted that in the past, some IGPs served for less than two years due to age-related retirements, leading to frequent changes in leadership and policy inconsistencies.
Addressing concerns from officers who feel aggrieved by tenure extensions, Ehindero attributed the tension to confusion over enlistment and appointment dates.
He clarified that for officers who were initially recruited as constables but later obtained qualifications for higher ranks, their service years are counted from their initial enlistment. As such, they must retire upon reaching either 60 years of age or 35 years of service.
He acknowledged that the appointment of an IGP will always generate political debates, given that it is ultimately a political decision.
However, he stressed that the president has the constitutional authority to appoint an IGP of his choice, in consultation with the Police Council.
“No amount of pressure can force the president to work with an IGP who is not his preference. The relationship between the president and the IGP must be built on trust and compatibility,” Ehindero concluded.