Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, on Tuesday, stated the reasons why IGP Mohammed Adamu’s three-month tenure extension was terminated by President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to him, Adamu’s tenure extension was terminated following the completion of a selection process for the new IGP.
Dingyadi announced the appointment of Deputy Inspector- General of Police (DIG) Usman Alkali Baba as Acting Inspector-General of Police.
According to the President, the appointment of Usman was with immediate effect.
Reacting to why the president did not allow the outgoing IGP to last the three months of his extension, the minister said: “The president is aware of this and you cannot take away that responsibility from him; he’s the one who is in charge of appointing or extending tenures.
“He has now decided to appoint a new person. So, please, allow him that responsibility and we cannot do anything about it,” he said.
Dingyadi explained that the appointment of the acting IGP followed a thorough check of a shortlist of suitably qualified police officers from the rank of DIGs and AIGs.
He said all the shortlisted candidates were police officers, eligible for appointment as IGP in line with Section 7, Sub-section 2 of the Nigeria Police Act (2020).
“The tenure of the I-G Mohammed Adamu, which ended on February 1, 2021, was extended by the president to enable a detailed process of appointing a new I-G, in line with Section 15 (A) of the 1999 Constitution.
“After a thorough check of a shortlist of suitably qualified police officers from the rank of DIGs and AIGs, who are eligible police officers, eligible for appointment as I-G, in line with Section 7, Sub-section 2 of the Nigeria Police Act (2020).
“And having regards to seniority, professionalism, record of service and competence, the president has approved the appointment of an acting I-G, in the person of Usman Alkali Baba, with immediate effect.
“These changes are in line with the determination of the president to rejig the security architecture and to ensure that the security challenges bedeviling the nation are brought to an end.
”The president has, therefore, charged the new appointee to rise to the challenge to ensure policing reform policy of this administration are fully prioritised and implemented to enable the police to perform most effectively for the peace and security of lives and property of all Nigerians,” he said.
The minister said as he thanked the outgoing I-G, Mohammed Adamu, for his professionalism and dedication to duty during the period of his tenure.
“He wished him all the best in his future endeavors.”
In February, The New Diplomat had reported that the IGP Adamu’s tenure was elongated by three months by President Buhari.
According to the president, the extension was necessary to allow for proper selection of a successor to replace Adamu, following the expiration of tenure.
