The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) attempted to quell growing public controversy surrounding the tenure of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun. The police statement, issued on September 6, 2024, emphasized that the four-year tenure granted to IGP Egbetokun is not an extension but rather the lawful period provided under Nigeria’s legal framework.
The police force’s response comes amid a flurry of accusations and debates on social media, particularly following a tweet by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore. Sowore, a frequent critic of the Nigerian government and security apparatus, questioned the legality and timing of the IGP’s appointment, suggesting that the tenure extension was a tactic to manipulate the system. Sowore tweeted, “They’ve started another round of tenure elongation fraud with the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun. This is an old trick to keep their cronies in power by circumventing the laws! Nigerians must resist this!”
Social media has since been abuzz with discussions about the legality of Egbetokun’s tenure, with many users amplifying Sowore’s sentiments. A Twitter user, @Omojuwa, wrote, “If the IGP truly had a four-year appointment confirmed back in November 2023, why the sudden clarification now? Something smells fishy!” Similarly, @Rinu, a prominent activist, tweeted, “The Nigerian Police Force can’t keep fooling Nigerians with these shady maneuvers. We demand transparency!”
Amid these rising voices of dissent, the Nigerian Police Force sought to clarify the situation. According to the statement released by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, “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 statement further emphasized that the IGP does not need to lobby for any tenure extension. “The ongoing circulation of false information is clearly 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,” it read.
Despite this official stance, the debate remains heated online. Another tweet by @AishaYesufu, a co-convener of the Bring Back Our Girls movement, stated, “The Nigeria Police Force can explain all they want, but they can’t hide the fact that there’s been no transparency in the process. We’ve seen these games before.”
The Police Force has attributed these rumors to a deliberate attempt to sow discord and distract from the Force’s core duties. “We urge the public to disregard the unfounded reports and to trust that the tenure of the IGP is in full compliance with the laws governing the Nigeria Police Force,” the press release concluded. The NPF called for an end to what it described as “perennial distractions to the policing system in Nigeria.”
As public scrutiny continues, many Nigerians remain unconvinced. The transparency of government appointments and the handling of security agencies’ leadership have long been contentious issues in the country. With voices like Sowore’s amplifying the call for accountability, the Nigerian government may face increasing pressure to provide clearer, more comprehensive answers regarding IGP Egbetokun’s tenure and the processes governing it.
