Buhari Yet To Consult Police Council On New IGP

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Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammad Dingyadi, has clarified
President Muhammadu is yet to consult the Police Council over the
appointment of acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman
Alkali Baba.

Recall President Muhammadu Buhari appointed DIG Usman Alkali
Baba as acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) with immediate
effect.

Announcing Baba’s appointment, Minister of Police Affairs,
Muhammadu Dingyadi said it is in line with Buhari’s determination
to rejig the security architecture and ensure security challenges
bedeviling the nation are brought to an end.

Speaking on Friday while featuring on Channels Television
Politics Today programme , Dingyadi noted absence of the president
stalled the process of consulting the Police Council.

He assured once the President returns to the country, he will
set the machinery in motion.

Checks by The Nation shows the Police Council is composed of the
President, Governor of each state, Chair of the Police Service
Commission, and the Inspector General of Police.

It is mandated to provide general supervision of the police,
oversee its organisation and administration, and to advise the
President on the appointment of the Inspector-General of
Police.

The Minister said: “Mr. President by law has been asked while
appointing the Inspector-General of Police to consult the police
council.

“Mr. President has not yet consulted the Police Council and that
is why you have seen that the person he has appointed now is in
acting capacity.

“So he is making arrangement to consult the Police Council and
as you are aware Mr. President is not in the country at this
material time

“So as soon as he comes back, he will set the machinery in
motion to do the necessary processes provided by the law to consult
the police council in this direction…” he added.

When asked what happens if the Police Council disagrees with the
President on choice of the new IGP, he said: “Well, I am not sure…
I don’t know but this kind of thing has never happened before…

“Before the President makes an acting appointment or makes a
decision on an acting appointment, he must have made his own home
work.

“What the Police Council will be after is ensuring that the
right person is brought on board. Somebody who is capable, somebody
who is a professional, somebody who is qualified and
experienced.

“And I want to believe that the Governors who are members of
this council have all the confidence in Mr. President and they know
the kind of person he is and I don’t look at that direction at all
in this process… I think Mr President should be able to convince
the police council in this decision he has taken.”