IG Succession Battle: Tension Mounts as Egbetokun’s Future Depends on Tinubu’s Decision

As Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, approaches retirement, the race to succeed him has intensified.

Egbetokun, appointed on June 19, last year, is scheduled to retire on September 4, when he turns 60.

The Police Council on October 31 confirmed Egbetokun as the substantive IGP.

However, uncertainty clouds his retirement date due to a recent amendment to the Police Act. PUNCH Online earlier reported that he was billed to retire in 2024.

This Executive Bill, passed by the National Assembly in July 2024, allows the President to extend the IGP’s tenure beyond 35 years of service or 60 years of age, enabling the IGP to complete a four-year term.

Since the President has yet to sign the bill into law, tensions are mounting within the police high command.

PUNCH Online earlier reported that Tinubu is currently on a “brief work stay” in France, with details of how long he would be away unmentioned.

Officers from the ranks of Commissioners of Police (CPs), Assistant Inspectors-General (AIGs), and Deputy Inspectors-General (DIGs) are now lobbying intensely for the top position.

Sources within the police indicate that if the president does not sign the amendment, Egbetokun will be required to retire as scheduled.

On the other hand, if the amendment is signed into law, the president could extend Egbetokun’s tenure.

However, there is ongoing debate about whether the amendment should be applied retroactively to Egbetokun.

High-ranking police officers

There are eight DIGs, 46 AIGs, and 125 CPs, with four DIGs set to retire between September and December.

Unconfirmed reports have it that the retirement dates for the DIGs are as follows: Bala Ciroma (March 3, 2025); Emeka Frank Mba (May 18, 2027); Sylvester Abiodun Alabi (December 31, 2024); Daniel Sokari-Pedro (December 18, 2024); Ede Ayuba Ekpeji (October 21, 2024); Bello Makwashi Maradun (December 25, 2024); Dasuki Danbappa Galadanchi (March 3, 2025); and Sahabo Abubakar Yahaya (September 15, 2025).

Egbetokun’s future hinges on the President’s decision regarding the amendment.

The amendment, which adds Section 18(8A) to the Nigeria Police Act 2020, states “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 officers, including DIGs, AIGs, and CPs, have begun lobbying for the position in anticipation of a potential overhaul of the Nigeria Police Force structure.

Sources indicate that some officers are concerned that extending Egbetokun’s tenure might impede their career progression.

They argue that tenure extensions close to retirement could distort the system and increase lobbying and desperation for positions, regardless of merit.

Tenure extension

Meanwhile, Tinubu followed the path of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who appointed a police officer whose retirement date preceded his tenure in office.

Contrary to the Police Act, 2020, which stipulates a four-year tenure for an IG, Buhari appointed the former IG, Usman Baba, on April 6, 2021, while he (Baba) was expected to retire from the police on March 1, 2023, when he clocked 60 years of age.

Baba took over from Mohammed Adamu, whose tenure Buhari extended for three months on February 4 2021.

Therefore, this isn’t the first time the retirement age for an IG has been met with uncertainty, potential extensions, and similar issues.

During Baba’s tenure, the FG, through the then-minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi, in January 2023, said Baba wouldn’t be retiring when he turns 60 on March 1, 2023.

Dingyadi’s comments followed concerns about the IGP’s possible retirement amidst the 2023 elections.

Baba was to turn 60 on March 1, 2023.

And on retirement as and when due with due diligence, PSC backed Egbetokun’s recent directive, asking policemen aged 60 and those who have spent 35 years in service to tender letters of voluntary retirement immediately.

The PSC urged the affected police officers to obey the IG’s directive and proceed with retirement.

Meanwhile, PUNCH Online on Monday morning put a call and text through to the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, to ascertain the situation of things that had yet to be responded to as of the time of filing this report.