By Danjuma Lamido
In the intricate landscape of public service, particularly within a sensitive institution like the Nigeria Police Force, leadership transitions often serve as pivotal moments for reflection and renewed dedication to national service.
With the appointment of IGP Kayode Egbetokun as Inspector General of Police, Nigerians have seen a revitalised push for reforms and reorientation, all geared toward transforming the Force into a more effective, accountable, and globally aligned institution.
However, the recent attempts to draw the current Inspector General into public confrontations or policy debates with his predecessor, retired IGP Usman Alkali Baba, are not only unnecessary but also distractive.
It is on this note that IGP Egbetokun’s firm refusal to engage in public exchanges or join issues with the former police boss is both commendable and indicative of mature, focused leadership.
The Nigeria Police Force has, over the years, struggled to shed the image of internal wrangling and politicised infighting. This is why the decorum and professionalism demonstrated by IGP Egbetokun is not just a personal decision; it is a deliberate institutional repositioning.
By choosing silence over sensationalism, he sends a strong message to both his men and the Nigerian public: that leadership is about service, not ego.
We must understand that every administration, including in the Force, has its peculiar challenges, priorities, and visions. It is therefore not unusual for changes in policies, direction, or emphasis to occur.
What matters most is that each leader contributes positively to the system and respects the continuity of institutional memory.
Egbetokun has shown that he is not driven by vendetta or political grandstanding but by the sincere desire to consolidate gains, correct missteps, and move the Police forward.
Some of the recent reforms under his leadership, including the promotion of thousands of junior and senior officers, the push for welfare enhancement, and a determined move to exit the controversial contributory pension scheme, demonstrate that he is more interested in performance than pettiness.
True leadership often requires the discipline to rise above distractions. Egbetokun’s refusal to be drawn into exchanges with a former IGP is a lesson in self-control, respect for predecessors, and commitment to institutional peace. In a country desperate for functional institutions, these are qualities we must celebrate.
For the sake of the Police and the nation, it is time for all stakeholders, retired or serving, to support ongoing reforms rather than fuel divisions. The Nigeria Police Force needs unity of purpose, not legacy battles.
Let the past remain a reference point, not a battlefield. And let those entrusted with today’s responsibilities focus on the future, not the noise of yesterday.
In IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Nigeria has found a leader who understands the value of focus over friction. We should all follow his lead.
Danjuma Lamido writes from Geidam Local Government Area, Yobe State. E-mail: danjumalamido2011@gmail.com
