Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammad Dingyadi, on Thursday, explained why President Muhammadu Buhari decided to extend the tenure of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, for three months.
He said it was “to allow for a robust and efficient process of appointing a new IGP.”
The minister said this in an interview with State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Remember that the tenure of Adamu should have expired on Monday when he attained 35 years in service.
Rather than announcing a replacement so that the IGP could hand over, the President and the Presidency kept mum on the matter.
The overdue Adamu has remained at his duty post since Monday, with the rumor that his tenure could have been ‘secretly’ extended.
The situation has made a lawyer, Maxwell Okpara to ask a Federal High Court in Abuja to stop Adamu from parading himself as the IGP forthwith.
However, Dingyadi, justified the situation that it was meant to ensure that the right officer was appointed to replace Adamu.
He said, “Mr. President has decided that the present IGP, Mohammed Adamu, will continue to serve as the IG for the next three months to allow for a robust and efficient process of appointing a new IGP.
“This is not unconnected to the desire of Mr. President to not only have a smooth handover but to also ensure that the right officer is appointed into that position.
“Mr. President is extending by three months to allow him to get into the process of allowing a new one.”
When reminded that the situation has caused a lacuna in the system, the Minister said, “There is no lacuna. Mr. President can decide to extend his tenure for three months.”
