President Bola Tinubu is currently presiding over a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council to formally consider the appointment of Olatunji Disu as substantive Inspector-General of Police.
PUNCH Online reports that Monday’s gathering began at about 02:15pm when Tinubu arrived at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.
The meeting is in compliance with the provisions of the Police Act 2020, which requires the Police Council to consider the appointment before the President transmits the nominee’s name to the Senate for confirmation.
In its statement announcing the resignation of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun last Tuesday, the Presidency had indicated that the council would be convened shortly.
“In compliance with the provisions of the Police Act 2020, President Tinubu will convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council shortly to formally consider the appointment of AIG Disu as substantive Inspector-General of Police, after which his name will be transmitted to the Senate for confirmation,” Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said in the statement.
The Police Council is chaired by the President and comprises all 36 state governors, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, and the Inspector-General of Police.
On Sunday, two highly placed officials in the Presidency and the police establishment confirmed the scheduled meeting to our correspondent.
“The Police Council Meeting is on Monday,” one of the sources said.
The second source, also familiar with the president’s schedule, confirmed, “Yes, we are meeting on Monday. The usual time for FEC meetings is 12:00 or 1:00 pm.”
Attending are Vice President Kashim Shettima, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Head of Civil Service, Didi Walson-Jack, and Governors of Enugu, Nasarawa, Ogun, Kwara, Plateau, Ondo and Lagos.
The Deputy Governor of Kogi State is also attending, alongside the Ministers of the Federal Capital Territory, Police Affairs and Interior.
Disu, 59, has been serving in an acting capacity since his appointment on Wednesday following Egbetokun’s exit.
Although the former IGP officially cited “family issues” in his resignation letter, Saturday PUNCH reported that he was summoned to the Presidential Villa on Monday evening and informed that he had to step down.
Multiple sources told this newspaper that Egbetokun was removed over his resistance to the President’s directive to withdraw police officers from VIP protection duties, his opposition to state policing, a flagship security reform championed by Tinubu, and his alleged vindictive conduct toward colleagues, including Disu.
While charging Disu during his decoration ceremony, President Tinubu tasked him with making the Nigeria Police Force “better, more effective and more responsive to the needs of Nigerians.”
“Today, we hand you the responsibility of leading the Nigeria Police Force at a critical time in our nation’s journey.
“You must lead with integrity, prioritise the welfare of your officers, and work tirelessly to restore confidence in the police as a force for good,” the President said.
Disu, a Lagos Island native, joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in English Education from Lagos State University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration and in Criminology, Security and Legal Psychology.
Like Egbetokun, Disu served under Tinubu during his tenure as Lagos State Governor from 1999 to 2007.
While Egbetokun was the Chief Security Officer, Disu served as the Aide-de-Camp.
When confirmed by the Senate, Disu will become the 23rd indigenous Inspector-General of Police.
