Power struggle looms as PSC orders mass retirements of senior police officers

A brewing power struggle has emerged within Nigeria’s police hierarchy as the Police Service Commission (PSC) has issued a directive ordering the immediate retirement of senior officers who have reached the mandatory age of 60 or completed 35 years in service.

This decision could have significant implications for Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, whose tenure has been the subject of intense debate and political maneuvering.

The PSC’s directive, announced after an extraordinary meeting on Friday, reaffirms the enforcement of Public Service Rule No. 020908, which mandates compulsory retirement for public officers once they reach the stipulated service limits.

However, this directive stands in stark contrast to the Federal Government’s recent defense of Egbetokun’s extended tenure, setting the stage for a potential institutional clash between the PSC and the executive arm of government.

For years, ambiguity surrounding police retirement policies has fueled controversy. In 2017, the PSC introduced a system where an officer’s date of appointment took precedence over their enlistment date—effectively allowing certain officers to extend their service beyond the mandatory limits.

However, the PSC has now reversed that decision, arguing that it contradicts the broader principles of public service rules.

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“The Commission has passionately revisited its decision and has come to the conclusion that the said decision, in its intent and purpose, contradicted the principle of the merger of service in the Public Service,” PSC spokesperson Ikechukwu Ani stated.

Following this, the commission ordered the immediate retirement of all affected officers and directed the IGP to implement the mandate.

This mass retirement order comes amid mounting pressure on IGP Egbetokun, who turned 60 in September 2024, making him technically eligible for retirement.

According to Section 18(8) of the Police Act 2020, an officer is required to retire after completing either 35 years of service or reaching 60 years of age, whichever comes first.

However, in July 2024, the National Assembly passed a bill extending Egbetokun’s tenure, citing Section 7 of the Police Act 2020, which grants a sitting IGP a fixed four-year term.

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The Federal Government reaffirmed this stance on Thursday, arguing that Egbetokun’s extended stay in office is legally justified based on his appointment letter and the new amendments to the Police Act.

Critics have raised concerns about the selective application of the law, arguing that enforcing retirements for other officers while exempting the IGP sets a dangerous precedent for governance and institutional integrity.

With the PSC insisting on enforcing retirement rules across the board, the key question remains: Does the directive apply to the IGP, and if so, will it be enforced?

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Some stakeholders within the Nigeria Police Force believe that allowing Egbetokun to remain in office while enforcing retirements for others could weaken the legitimacy of the PSC’s decision, fostering resentment and further complicating the already contentious situation.

Others argue that the National Assembly’s intervention in extending the IGP’s tenure takes precedence over the PSC’s mandate.

For now, the situation remains tense. If the IGP moves forward with enforcing mass retirements, he could face pushback from officers who see his continued stay as an act of executive favoritism.

On the other hand, if the Federal Government intervenes to halt the PSC’s directive, it could lead to a full-blown institutional crisis.