Former Inspector General of Police, Sunday Ehindero, has defended the extension of Kayode Egbetokun’s tenure as Inspector General of Police, stating that the decision is legal as long as it is based on merit and 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 constitutional authority to determine who leads the Nigeria Police Force.
He recalled that Egbetokun had 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.
Given his qualifications and experience, Ehindero maintained that the president’s decision to retain him for a four-year tenure, as permitted by law, was justified.
“Competence backed by legal provisions should be the guiding principle in appointing and determining the tenure of an Inspector General of Police. Egbetokun has earned his position through his qualifications, achievements, and experience,” Ehindero stated.
Reflecting on his own tenure, he noted that extensions for IGPs have often been met with controversy.
He recalled that his own tenure was extended twice—in 2005 for a year and in 2007 for three months—which led to legal challenges.
However, the courts dismissed the case, ruling that the issue was without merit.
Ehindero explained that earlier regulations on the tenure of an IGP were governed by the Civil Service Rules and the Police Act and Regulation (CAP 359, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004).
However, with the enactment of the Police Act 2020 and the subsequent amendment in 2024, the law now ensures that an IGP serves a fixed four-year term, regardless of age or length of service.
He agreed with former IGP Mike Okiro, who had argued that the fixed four-year tenure would prevent frequent leadership changes, which in the past resulted in policy inconsistencies.
He noted that previous IGPs sometimes served for less than two years due to mandatory retirement rules, which disrupted the continuity of reforms in the force.
Addressing concerns from senior officers who might feel sidelined by tenure extensions, Ehindero attributed the tension to confusion over enlistment and appointment dates.
He clarified that officers who started their careers as constables but later obtained higher qualifications would have their service years counted from their initial enlistment. Thus, they must retire upon reaching 60 years of age or completing 35 years in service.
Ehindero acknowledged that the appointment of an IGP is inherently political and will always generate debate.
However, he stressed that the president, in consultation with the Police Council, has the prerogative to select an IGP he trusts to lead the force effectively.
“No level of pressure can compel the president to work with an IGP who does not align with his vision. There must be mutual understanding between the president and the IGP for effective leadership,” he concluded.