Indications emerged on Friday that President Muhammadu Buhari may approve tenure extension for the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.
The IGP’s tenure officially ended on the 3rd of January, having served the Nigerian Police Force for 35 years.
Ibrahim Idris who is Nigeria’s 19th Inspector General of Police, took over from the former IGP, Solomon Arase, on the 21st of March, 2016.
Feelers from the Police Headquarters however indicates that there are preparations for the official send off of the IGP, in case his tenure is not extended.
The outgoing IGP had met behind closed doors with the President, after the Friday Sallah prayers , left the Presidential Villa beaming with smiles.
He however shunned all entreaties to comment on the purpose and outcome of his meeting with the President.
The Niger state born IGP who is just 59 years old, had joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1984.
Although the government is yet to make any official statement on the issue, BusinessDay gathered from very reliable source at the Presidential Villa, that there is strong possibility that the President has approved the extension of his tenure.
“ As you know, he still has two weeks to stay in office and within these few days, it will be made public”
IGP was fully kitted in his official Police uniform and was driven to the Presidential Villa accompanied by all the officials paraphernalia.
If the IGP tenure is approved, it will conform with treatments given to all heads of security agencies by the President since he assumed office in 2015.
Despite the expiration of the tenure of the Service Chiefs, President Buhari has continued to extend their tenures
They include those of the Chief of Defence Staff, Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai and Vice Admiral Ibok-EteIkwe Ibas, the Chief of Naval staff as well as Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar, who is the Chief of Air staff.
BusinessDay recalls that in an earlier statement , the President had cited the exercise of the powers conferred on him as the President and Commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by section 218 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and section 09.06 of the Harmonised Terms and Conditions for Service for officers (2012) Revised.
Recall that the President had extended their tenure in December, 2017, before this new extension.
Tony Ailemen, Abuja
