The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, will not be retiring when he turns 60 years on March 1, 2023, the Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi, said on Wednesday.
Dingyadi’s comments followed fresh concerns about the IGP’s possible retirement amidst the 2023 elections.
Baba turns 60 on March 1, 2023; four days after the presidential election and 10 days before the governorship elections holding on February 25 and March 11, respectively.
According to the minister, the Police Act 2020 gives the IGP a four-year tenure which cannot be interrupted by retirement age.
“Let me say that by the provision of the Police Act 2020, the IG is now supposed to have a kind of four-year period and Mr President has already given him letter of appointment in that regard.
“So the issue of IG going out during this election period does not arise.”
President Muhammadu Buhari appointed the then-DIG Baba as the acting IGP on April 6, 2021.