Senior Officers Express Discontent as IGP Egbetokun Receives Tenure Extension
The recent amendment to the Nigeria Police Act 2020, approved by the National Assembly on Tuesday, has caused significant unrest within the force. Senior officers are voicing their opposition to the change, which extends the tenure of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), creating concerns about loyalty and performance in the face of public scrutiny.
The amendment grants the IGP a four-year term regardless of age or service duration. The executive bill stipulates that the IGP remains in office until the term specified in the appointment letter, as per Section 7(6) of the Police Act 2020.
However, Section 18(8) of the Police Act 2020 mandates retirement for officers after 35 years of service or upon reaching 60 years of age, whichever comes first. The new subsection (8A) overrides this, allowing the IGP to serve the full term specified in the appointment letter.
Egbetokun, who was appointed IGP in June 2023 and will turn 60 in September 2024, benefits directly from this amendment. Senior officers, feeling sidelined from potential promotion opportunities, are raising concerns about morale and fairness.
One senior officer, speaking anonymously to THE FIRST CLASS GISTS, criticized the decision, describing it as nepotistic and damaging to the force’s reputation. “Even though not everyone can be an IG, it’s wrong. It will crash the morale,” he said, warning that favoritism at the top levels undermines the integrity of the police.
Another officer expressed dismay at the speed of the amendment’s passage, calling it a “terrible day” for the force. A retired senior officer noted that favoring the current IGP demoralizes personnel and jeopardizes the force’s stability.
Mr. Yunusa Tanko, Chief Spokesman of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, condemned the move as an abuse of power, arguing that the beneficiary should not be the current officeholder. He stressed that laws should strengthen institutions, not serve individual interests.
Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, coordinator of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), echoed these sentiments. He suggested that the president should ensure the current IGP does not benefit from the new law, comparing the situation to retroactively reversing the death penalty.
Onwubiko criticized the National Assembly’s actions, suggesting that allowing Egbetokun to benefit from the amendment would set a dangerous precedent. “This National Assembly continues to perform magic in the manner the lawmakers are conducting their affairs,” he said, implying that such decisions undermine the credibility of the legislative body.
In summary, the amendment to the Nigeria Police Act 2020, extending the IGP’s tenure, has sparked significant dissent among senior officers, who argue that it undermines morale, promotes favoritism, and jeopardizes the force’s future stability.
