As Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police, approaches retirement, the battle to succeed him heats up.
Egbetokun was appointed on June 19, last year, and is set to retire on September 4, when he reaches 60.
On October 31, the Police Council confirmed Egbetokun as the substantive Inspector General of Police.
However, a recent modification to the Police Act creates confusion over his retirement date. PUNCH Online previously reported that he was set to retire in 2024.
This Executive Bill, passed by the National Assembly in July 2024, authorizes the President to extend the IGP’s tenure beyond 35 years of service or 60 years of age, allowing the IGP to serve a four-year term.
Since the President has yet to sign the bill into law, tensions are rising inside the police high command.
Officers from the levels of Commissioners of Police (CPs), Assistant Inspectors-General (AIGs), and Deputy Inspectors-General (DIGs) are now actively vying for the top position.
According to police sources, if the president does not approve the modification, Egbetokun will have to retire as scheduled.
However, if the legislation is passed into law, the president may extend Egbetokun’s tenure.
However, there is still controversy over whether the modification should be implemented retroactively to Egbetokun.
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The change, which adds Section 18(8A) to the Nigeria Police Act 2020, specifies “that any person appointed as IGP shall remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in their appointment letter, as per Section 7(6) of the Act.”
Despite the President’s silence on the bill, senior police personnel, including DIGs, AIGs, and CPs, have been campaigning for the job ahead of a prospective restructuring of the Nigeria Police Force.
According to sources, some officers are apprehensive that extending Egbetokun’s stay may impede their career growth.
They contend that term extensions nearing retirement could skew the system and promote lobbying and desperation for posts, regardless of quality.
