Police Council May Nominate New IGP As Adamu, Others Begin Intense Lobby

As the tenure of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, draws to an end, indications have emerged that the Nigerian Police Council may nominate a new IGP by February.

Naija News reports that Police Council comprises the President, who is the chairman, the 36 state governors and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC).

With doubt emerging if Adamu – expected to retire next month when he would clock 35 years in service – will get a tenure extension, unconfirmed sources told The Punch that his successor may be announced.

Recall that Buhari had recently extended the tenure of the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Muhammad Babandede, and the Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Muhammadu Gana.

According to sources, IGP Adamu had launched a vigorous lobby for tenure extension to enable him to conclude certain reforms in the police but it is still unclear if his bid to secure an extension additional was successful.

A senior official said intense lobby for the new IG by some state governors, influential politicians and traditional rulers has commenced.

A source stated, “The police council always meets confidentially to decide the next IG but a lot of people are already pushing for their candidates; the pressure is high but it is the President’s prerogative to select the IG.

“We have about 20 AIGs but most of them do not qualify under the new Police Act, which stipulates that a candidate for the office of the IG must have at least five years of service.

“We know that AIG Moses Jitiboh (former Chief Personal Security Officer to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan) still has over five years but they are trying to spoil his chances. Apart from him, about four other AIGs from the North also have good chances of being appointed.”

According to the source, the IGP recently nominated Jitiboh for promotion to DIG in a move to bypass the most eligible AIG who was said to be sick.