We Won’t Extend Tenure Of Retiring Police Officers, PSC Insists …As Buhari Asks Senate To Confirm Arase As Chairman

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has said it would not extend the tenure of the retiring senior police officers in the country.
The PSC stressed that even when requested, it would not do so, saying it was against all existing laws, Police Act, Police Service Commission Act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The commission made this known after its management meeting, last Monday, noting that the ongoing calls for the extension of the tenures of some Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), Assistant Inspectors General (AIG’s), commissioners, and other senior police officers were unnecessary distraction and an affront on all the existing laws guiding entry and exit in the country’s public service.
According to a statement issued, yesterday, by the PSC spokesperson, IkechukwuAni, the commission noted that the police have capable men and women who should be encouraged to step into the vacancies that would be created by the exiting officers.
It further assured Nigerians that there is an institutional succession plan in the Nigeria Police Force, especially with the current injection of 10,000 Constables and other thousands of cadet ASPs from the Police Academy every year.
The commission also assured Nigerians that there would be no vacuum in the hierarchy of the police with the touted retirement of hundreds of senior police officers.
The PSC added that it would continue to uphold the provisions of the law which stipulates that “a serving public officer, whether in the police or in any other government agency, must exit the service at the age of 60 or having served for a period of 35 years.”
The commission said it would not encourage the subversion of the laws guiding entry and exit into the Nigeria Public Service, adding that the retiring senior police officers are not indispensable and that their exit would not in any way or manner affect the success of the 2023 general election.
“The retiring senior police officers are not indispensable and their exit will not in any way or manner affect the success of the 2023 general election,” he added.
“The Nigeria Police have capable men and women who should be encouraged to step into the vacancies that will be created by the exiting officers.
“There is an institutional succession plan in the Nigeria Police with the current injection of 10,000 Constables and several other thousands of cadet ASPs from the Police Academy annually,” he said.
Ani said the clarification followed conversations in the media on whether the tenure of retiring senior officers would be elongated on ground of security ahead of the 2023 general election.
“The commission has watched with keen interest the conversation in the media on whether retiring senior police officers’ tenure should be elongated or not because of its effect on the 2023 election security,” he said.
He said the ongoing campaign for the extension of the tenures of some Deputy Inspectors-General (DIGs), Assistant Inspectors-General (AIGs), Commissioners of Police (CPs) and other senior police officers were unnecessary distractions.
Ani said the discussions were an affront on all the existing laws in the country guiding entry and exit in the public service.
He pledged the commitment of the commission to ensure that no vacuum was created in the hierarchy of the police with the touted retirement of hundreds of senior police officers.
Ani said the commission had taken a decision to rigidly uphold the provisions of the law.
He said the law had stipulated that a serving public officer, whether in the police or in any other government agency, must exit the service at the age of 60 or having served for a period of 35 years.
“The commission will not encourage the subversion of the laws guiding entry and exit into the Nigeria Public Service.
“The retiring senior police officers are not indispensable and their exit will not in any way or manner affect the success of the 2023 general election,” he added.
Meanwhile, President MuhammaduBuhari has asked the senate to confirm former Inspector-General (I-G) of Police Solomon Arase (rtd), as the chairman of Police Service Commission (PSC).
Another ex-IG, Musiliu Smith has resigned in controversial circumstances as the chairman of the commission late last year.
A former justice of the Supreme Court,Clara Ogunbiyi, has since then taken over as the acting chairman of PSC.
However, in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, and read during plenary, yesterday, titled, “Confirmation of Appointment of Chairman of Police Service Commission,” Buhari asked the upper chamber to confirm Arase as the substantive chairman for the position.
The letter reads: “In accordance with the provision of Section 154(1) of 1999. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), I write to forward for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of Solomon Arase (rtd) Inspector-General of Police, as Chairman, Police Service Commission.
“It is my hope that the Senate will consider and confirm the appointment in the usual expeditious manner.”