President Bola Tinubu is facing mounting pressure from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Nigeria to address the controversy surrounding the planned tenure extension of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun.
The CSOs are seeking transparency and accountability from the president regarding this decision, which has sparked heated debates and concerns among Nigerians
At the center of the controversy is a letter, allegedly signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, suggesting an extension of IGP Egbetokun’s tenure.
However, the letter’s legitimacy and legal grounds for the extension have raised questions, particularly given that the IGP has reportedly reached the mandatory retirement age under the Police Act of 2020 [1).
The CSOs have highlighted several concerns, including:
Constitutional Implications*: The tenure extension may violate constitutional provisions governing the tenure of the IGP.
Lack of Transparency*: The decision-making process behind the tenure extension lacks transparency and accountability.
Undermining Democratic Governance*: The move may undermine the principles of democratic governance and the rule of law.
Prominent organizations, such as the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Amnesty International Nigeria, and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), are among the 61 CSOs calling for transparency .
They urge President Tinubu to provide a clear explanation for the decision, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in governance.
