The president’s Media Adviser, Bayo Onanuga, in a tweet on his official X page, announced that Egbetokun has resigned. He said that President Tinubu has appointed Tunji Disu, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, to succeed Egbetokun as the new IGP.
On Monday evening, IGP Egbetokun visited Aso Rock to have a meeting with President. Sources say that President Tinubu asked him to resign at the meeting.
The appointment of Tunji Disu as a replacement for Egbetokun, it’s hoped that he will withdraw the suit against Sowore from the court. His emergence as the new IGP will lead to the retirement of many AIGs.
Egbetokun is expected to be replaced by Tunji Disu, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police recently posted to oversee the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos.
Egbetokun’s tenure as Inspector-General was marked by a series of controversies, with his extended stay in office, despite statutory retirement provisions, forming the centrepiece of public criticism.
Among the controversies that trailed his leadership were allegations surrounding the promotion of Bukola Kuti to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police. Critics alleged that her perceived closeness to the Inspector-General conferred undue advantage, fuelling accusations of favouritism and nepotism within the Nigeria Police Force.
Further controversy arose following claims that ₦100 million from Anambra State’s security vote was traced to the bank account of Victor, Egbetokun’s son. The allegation sparked widespread public concern over the possible diversion of state security funds for personal benefit.
Egbetokun’s office was repeatedly in the news over legal actions against journalists and activists. He initiated multiple charges against activist Omoyele Sowore and SaharaReporters after Sowore publicly described him as an “illegal IGP.”
The public relations officer of the police, Hundeyin, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, has released a press statement, denying that the transfer of N100m into the bank account of Egbetokun’s son was a mistake and has been transferred to the account of the Anambra state government.
Interestingly, Tunji Disu is due for retirement in April, after attaining the age of 60. Political analysts believe that President Tinubu sacked Egbetokun on the grounds of many allegations against him, especially considering the implications of having him as IGP with the 2027 general elections fast approaching. They posit that under normal circumstances, AIG Mba should have been appointed to replace Egbetokun, especially on the basis of hierarchy and rank.
However, there is a general consensus that President Tinubu has the prerogative to appoint whoever he wants as IGP.