Who Succeeds Okiro?

 

 

By Toni Orilade /Abuja

 

 

The trio of Ogbonnaya Onovo, DIG, ‘A’ Department, Finance and Administration; Uba Ringim, DIG, ‘E’ Department, Training and DIG Uzomo joined the Nigeria Police Force 32 years ago, precisely on 1 August, 1977. This gives them about three more years to go in their service to the nation as officers of the Force. This is on the ground of service years. But on age, Onovo is the most senior as he shall be 60 years in two years. And given the fact that the current IGP Mike Okiro is preparing to go on retirement leave, the question is: Who succeeds Okiro.

 

Okiro, in a letter to President Umaru Yar’Adua in March informed of his plan to disengage from the Police Force in July, 2009, after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60 years. He has spent 32 years in the Force. It is only if President Yar’Adua extends Okiro’s tenure that the position will not be vacant by July this year. From TheNEWS findings, an extension for Okiro is most unlikely.

Okiro, in his letter, listed all the Deputy Inspectors-General currently serving in the Force, their dates of enlistment, educational qualifications, experience, dates of promotion to DIG, expected dates of retirement and disciplines. This information is expected to ease the President’s task of choosing Okiro’s successor. At the moment, there are six DIGs, but this magazine gathered that Okiro listed four DIGs for the President’s consideration. The four are: Yusuf Haruna (DIG, ‘D’ Department, Investigation), John Hamza Ahmadu (DIG, ‘F’ Department, Research and Training), Ogbonnaya Onovo (DIG, ‘A’ Department, Finance and Administration) and DIG, Uba Ringim of ‘E’ Department. But since the choice of who to be appointed as the IGP is entirely that of Mr. President, there are already speculations that he might go outside Okiro’s recommendation to appoint his IG, a position which is believed to be very sensitive to the smooth running of the government.Onovo, undoubtedly, the most senior officer of the four listed was the former chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA. When the issue of the appointment of an IG came up in 2007, Onovo was a major contender until the powers that be announced Okiro, who was his junior, instead. Many had thought that Onovo was going to throw in the towel as he may not be disposed to working under his junior. This magazine gathered that his Igbo ethnic group, however, pleaded with him that his resignation would rob the ethnic group of an opportunity to take a shot at the office which is believed to have eluded the group over the years. His stay, therefore, would provide the Igbo another window after Okiro’s retirement.

According to our sources, if Parry Osayande, Chairman of the Police Service Commission, PSC, is a man that has the ears of Mr. President, Onovo may emerge as the next IGP, as he is said to favour promotions, including that of the IGP on the basis of seniority. It was the Commission headed by Osayande, a retired Deputy IGP, that reversed the promotion of 140 police officers, including that of the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Malam Nuhu Ribadu because of alleged irregularities. Since the President was quoted as saying he would not unduly extend the tenure of political appointees, especially those who are of retirement age, there is no doubt that the tenure expiration of Sir Mbama Mike Okiro is a question of a few days from now. Who will be the next IGP? Will the South East make history to produce its first IGP? Or will the position return to the North? Only President Umaru Yar’Adua has answers to the puzzles.

 

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