Should the Police IG retire?

President Muhamadu Buhari has come under criticism from different quarters over his inaction on the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris’ retirement. According to public service laws, the occupant of the office of IG of Police is to retire after spending the mandatory 35 years in service or attaining 60 years of age. Mr. Idris […]

President Muhamadu Buhari has come under criticism from different quarters over his inaction on the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris’ retirement. According to public service laws, the occupant of the office of IG of Police is to retire after spending the mandatory 35 years in service or attaining 60 years of age. Mr. Idris is expected to retire from service after clocking 60 on January 15. Daily Trust Saturday sought opinions of some Nigerians on the matter.

 

Hannatu Yahaya Poloma, 33, Bauchi

For how long would we be elongating the tenures of Inspector Generals? This is not the first time the tenure of the Police IG is being extended. I think about two or three IGs had their tenures extended since 1999. We must treat tenure expiration in appointments like retirement in the civil service. If the tenure of an appointee of the president expires, he should just be relieved and the president should appoint another person. This should be the case, especially in security circles which always follows a certain hierarchy. Tenure elongation in these establishments may disrupt their hierarchy as retirements or appointments do. I don’t believe in tenure elongation. It has happened many times and it is turning into a tradition or a special favour being extended to people in the security circles, and it should not be so.

 

Bunmi Oreaje-Ogbori, 34, Entrepreneur, Lagos

Looking at the sensitivity of his position and the security of the nation, he should be given time to properly hand over. An extra one or two-months extension for a proper handover, especially if there isn’t an already existing succession plan or people under-studying him. Retiring him immediately may destabilize the already existing security plans for the nation, which is critical because of the upcoming elections.
If he was found wanting for non-performance, corrective actions should have been taken against him earlier, even in form of forceful resignation or termination, but since this is a case of his retirement, he may be given consideration for proper handover for a seamless transition of the national security process during the election.

 

Muslim Lawal, 33, Broadcast Journalist, Bauchi

It is the prerogative of the president to renew or terminate the tenure of the Inspector General of Police after its expiration. However, after expiration, it is better for him to step down in order to ensure orderliness in the Police Force. Another equally competent person should be appointed in his place. Although he is not the first IG whose tenure is extended, especially during the current democratic dispensation, it should not be made to be a trend or tradition which may in a way amount to abuse of the privilege. The president, like his predecessors, has his reasons for elongating the IG’s tenure, especially at this time when elections are about to be conducted. There is the need for somebody who has been involved in the preparations, and this may be the best option for the country.

 

Nasuru Ubali Gamawa, 43, NTA, Bauchi

I don’t support the tenure elongation of the Inspector General. It will be better if another person comes in and serves. The current Inspector General has served the country diligently and amust be commended looking at the security challenges we have been facing and how he handled the force. However, we must remember that, there are other competent officers in the force with the same determination to serve who can even do better.
The reason why I want the IG to be replaced also has to do with the way the whole issue is being debated. Some people, particularly the opposition. are trying to politicise the whole thing because of the perceived issues they had with the IG. He had a running battle with some powerful personalities who have been calling for his removal, even before his tenure expired. They are now renewing that call because of the elections.

 

John Ugwuanya, 40, Banker, Kaduna

We have to look at what the law states. Does it allow for the president to extend his retirement date? If it is silent, then the president can do it, if not then it shouldn’t be accepted in any form. What makes people believe that the new person will do better? There is no guarantee. We have been having failures in the IGP position for a long time and there are no changes. What difference does it make? When they come in, they make so many promises, and after a while, we return to status quo. How sure are those shouting for his removal that a new person will not do worse? We know the current IG and his antecedents, so they can sit and re-strategize, instead of dispensing energy on his removal. If he is honorable enough, he will reject the extension, but as we know in Nigeria they don’t resign.

 

Andy Bako, 58, Development worker, Kaduna

I don’t see why the IG should remain after his tenure expires. First, it is a requirement of the Police Service that he retires after he reaches the age of retirement. Second, there are other competent and brilliant officers that can take over. Third, he has done nothing extraordinary to warrant his retention. On the contrary, he has done everything to warrant his removal long ago, including flouting presidential orders and gross incompetence.