Abuja, Oct. 4, 2024 (TheGavel) – Former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, has expressed strong support for the recent amendment to the Police Act 2020, which grants the Inspector-General of Police (I-G) a four-year tenure. Okiro believes this move will stabilize the Nigerian police system and enhance its overall effectiveness.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, Okiro highlighted the significance of the amendment, which allows the I-G to serve a full four-year term, regardless of age or years of service. He emphasized that this will provide the I-G with ample time to implement and follow through on key programs and initiatives.
“The four-year tenure will ensure stability within the Nigeria Police. This will help sustain institutional knowledge and prevent disruptions,” Okiro explained. He noted that past I-Gs often faced difficulties when attempting to execute long-term plans, as their tenure could be cut short due to retirement based on age or service years.
Okiro further added, “The four-year tenure will also ensure increased productivity and efficiency in carrying out responsibilities. It is my strong conviction that this will allow the I-G to focus on longer-term planning, goal-setting, and successful execution.”
NAN reports that the Senate recently amended Section 7 (6) of the Police Act 2020, extending the tenure of the I-G and ensuring that they can complete a four-year term irrespective of their retirement age or years of service in the police force.
As a former chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Okiro has long been a proponent of reforming the I-G’s tenure to create stability and prevent disruptions in leadership. He pointed out that, under the old system, the I-G could be removed at the discretion of the President, resulting in uncertainty and instability within the police force.
“The police and the country are losing in this situation because there is no stability in the system,” Okiro remarked, advocating for a more secure tenure for the I-G.
He further explained that the new law negates the former policy that mandated retirement after either 60 years of age or 35 years of service, which are standard in the civil service. With the amendment, the I-G can now focus solely on advancing the interests of the police force and the country without fear of premature removal from office.
“With this law now, the I-G can concentrate on the benefit of the police and the country,” Okiro said, emphasizing that this would foster better leadership and more strategic development within the Nigerian police system.
NAN also reported that under the amended law, any individual appointed as the I-G will serve their full four-year term, as specified in their appointment letter, regardless of their age or service years. This provides a clear timeline for leadership, enabling more comprehensive planning and implementation of police reforms.
In light of Nigeria’s recent 64th Independence Anniversary, Okiro also addressed the political class, urging them to fulfill the promises made to Nigerians during their campaigns. He called for a unified approach to governance, stressing that Nigeria has the resources and potential to achieve greatness if political leaders remain true to their commitments.
“The political class should fulfill what it promised the electorate during the electioneering, and Nigeria would be great if we could all unite,” he stated.
As a former chairman of the PSC, Okiro also called on citizens to actively contribute to the nation’s development, acknowledging that no government can succeed without the support and participation of its people.
“The government cannot do it alone. Every Nigerian has a role to play in ensuring the country’s progress,” Okiro concluded. (NAN)
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