Retiring Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, on Monday, met with senior police officers at the Louis Edet House, headquarters of the police in Abuja, where he briefed them about the intricate succession crisis.
Adamu, who was officially due for retirement on Monday, did not hand over the reins of leadership last night as expected, and it is unlikely that he will get an extension, considering that President Buhari has been reported to be scrutinizing a list of possible replacements.
In the midst of the uncertainty, however, the Presidency, on Monday, assured that there would not be a vacuum in the position, although spokesperson for President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, who gave the assurance, did not say when a decision will be taken by the president.
Shehu spoke earlier in the day on Channels Television’s morning show ‘Sunrise Daily’, saying, “The President returns to Abuja on Tuesday from his trip. He should be on his desk by Wednesday. I don’t know when he will do this.
“One thing I can assure you is that in places sensitive like that, there is no vacuum that will subsist, so the system will take care of itself.”
Shehu dismissed insinuations from various quarters that the next appointment would be based on ethnicity.
“The President will rather have an Inspector-General of Police who will make you and I safer, and protect life and property, than one who is more pronounced by his tribal marks.”
Adamu allayed fears of the senior police officers and informed them that “regimented order” will be followed in the event there was no communication from the presidency.
This means the IGP will handover to the most senior police officer.
