The Federal Government on Wednesday says, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba will not be retiring midway into the 2023 general elections that will commence on February 25.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi said this while addressing reporters after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.
He said the Police Act 2020 gives the IGP a four-year tenure which cannot be interrupted by retirement age.
“By the provision of the Police Act 2020, the IG is now supposed to have a kind of four-year period and Mr President has already given him letter of appointment in that regard.
“So, the issue of IG going out during this election period does not arise,” the minister explained.
Baba, appointed as the police boss by President Muhammadu Buhari on April 6, 2021, will reportedly turn 60 on March 1.
There have been concerns about the possibility of the IGP retiring from the Force amidst the 2023 elections. While the presidential and National Assembly polls are slated for February 25, the governorship and state house of assembly elections will hold on March 11.
Dingyadi also stated that the FEC approved a draft bill for an Act to establish Nigeria Police Force College Training School and Institutions.
According to him, the piece of legislation will only give legal backing to about 20 existing training institutions nationwide, and not to build new ones.
He announced that from investigations conducted by its officers, the level of corruption within the police has significantly declined and the draft bill he also notes will further help towards a reduction of the menace.
Press Secretary-Minister of Police Affairs, Osaigbovo Ehisienmen, in a statement also clarified the misconstrued for tenure extension as erroneously reported in some sections of the media.
Ehisienmen said, for the avoidance of doubt, the Honourable Minister during the media engagement also responded to inquiries on retirement date of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP. Usman Alkali Baba, CFR. appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari on 6th April, 2021.
His appointment was confirmed by the Nigeria Police Council headed by Mr. President in June, 2021 for a single tenure of four (4) years, as provided for, in Section 7 (3), and Section 7 (6) of the Police Act 2020 which amongst others states “that the person appointed to the office of the Inspector-General of Police shall hold office for four (4) years”.
These provisions of the 2020 amended Police Acts should not be misconstrued for tenure extension as erroneously reported in some sections of the media.