Police speak on IGP Egbetokun’s reported tenure extension

The Nigeria Police has said that President Bola Tinubu did not extend the tenure of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun as speculated.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, made this clarification in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

He said the President instead gave his approval to the law governing the tenure of the office as required, adding that the IGP’s appointment is for four years.

The statement read in part, “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to various misleading reports and misinterpretations concerning the tenure of the Inspector General of Police, and wishes to categorically state that what President Bola Tinubu approved for the IGP is not an extension of tenure, but rather the proper application of the law governing the tenure of the office of the IGP.

“Contrary to the misinformation being circulated on social media and in the news, an appointment letter in circulation was issued to the IGP shortly after his appointment was confirmed by the Police Council.

“This letter, dated 3rd November, 2023, clearly stated that the President had approved a four-year tenure for the IGP in accordance with the provisions of Section 215(a) and Section 28(c) of the Third Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”

The Force spokesman said the IGP does not need to lobby for any tenure extension as he has yet to use the years stated in his appointment letter.

“It is important to emphasize that the IGP does not need to lobby for any tenure extension as his appointment letter explicitly grants him a four-year tenure from the date of his appointment.

“The ongoing circulation of false information is the handiwork of pessimists and mischief makers who are determined to spread baseless narratives against the office and the personality of the IGP for obvious reasons and pecuniary gains,” he added.