There were fresh indications on Tuesday that First Lady, Remi Tinubu, made last-minute efforts to save the job of former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, before his eventual removal.
Multiple sources within the Nigeria Police Force disclosed that although President Bola Tinubu had made up his mind on the matter, the First Lady reportedly pushed for Egbetokun to remain in office.
According to a source, “The First Lady wanted him to stay and fought for him to remain despite the controversies. But the President was adamant.”
Egbetokun was said to have been summoned to the Presidential Villa on Monday, where he was directed to prepare his handover notes. He is expected to hand over to Tunji Disu, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon, Lagos.
However, the Presidency said the resignation of Egbetokun as Inspector-General of Police was voluntary, dismissing claims that he was removed from office.
In a response to an inquiry, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated that the former police boss stepped down due to personal circumstances.
“The IGP resigned in a letter today, citing family issues which require his undivided attention,” Onanuga said.
Sources within the police also disclosed that the former IGP is indeed nursing a medical condition that requires attention.
