President Bola Tinubu is presiding over a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council to formally review the appointment of Olatunji Disu as substantive Inspector-General of Police.
NEWSCLICKNG Online reports that Monday’s session commenced around 2:15 p.m. following Tinubu’s arrival at the Council Chamber of the State House in Abuja.
The meeting is being held in line with the Police Act 2020, which mandates the Council to consider the appointment before the President forwards the nominee’s name to the Senate for confirmation.
In announcing the resignation of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun last Tuesday, the Presidency had indicated that the council would soon be convened.
“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 includes all 36 state governors, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, and the Inspector-General of Police.
On Sunday, two senior officials within the Presidency and the police establishment confirmed the scheduled meeting.
“The Police Council Meeting is on Monday,” one source said.
A second source familiar with the President’s schedule added, “Yes, we are meeting on Monday. The usual time for FEC meetings is 12:00 or 1:00 pm.”
Those in attendance include 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 from Enugu, Nasarawa, Ogun, Kwara, Plateau, Ondo, and Lagos states.
The Deputy Governor of Kogi State is also present, 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 departure.
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.
Sources told the newspaper that Egbetokun’s removal was linked to his resistance to directives to withdraw police officers from VIP protection duties, opposition to state policing reforms, and alleged vindictive conduct toward colleagues, including Disu.
During Disu’s decoration ceremony, Tinubu charged 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.
A native of Lagos Island, Disu joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English Education from Lagos State University and master’s degrees 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 Chief Security Officer, Disu served as Aide-de-Camp.
If confirmed by the Senate, Disu will become the 23rd indigenous Inspector-General of Police.