The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has raised serious concerns over the ongoing institutional crisis between the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
CISLAC noted that the crisis threatens the rule of law, undermines accountability, and erodes public trust in Nigeria’s governance and security institutions.
A statement by Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), Executive Director of CISLAC, noted the statutory authority of the PSC under Sections 6 and 7 of the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act, 2001 which mandated it to appoint, promote, dismiss, and exercise disciplinary control over the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force with the exception of the Inspector General of Police.
CISLAC stressed that this mandate is further reinforced by Paragraph 30 of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, granting the PSC oversight authority on police appointments and discipline.
It further said; “Public Service Rule No. 020908 (i & ii) mandates the compulsory retirement of public officers, including senior police officers, who have served for 35 years or reached the age of 60.
“This regulation is designed to uphold the integrity and efficiency of security institutions by enabling leadership renewal and preventing tenure manipulation,” CISLAC stressed.
The organisation therefore condemned in strong terms, the recent directive by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), instructing senior officers who have attained the mandatory retirement threshold to remain in service pending further directives.
In the words of CISLAC; “This action constitutes a clear violation of the PSC’s statutory authority, undermines the principle of separation of powers, and fosters unnecessary institutional conflicts”.
It also criticized the amendment to the 2020 Police Act, which grants the IGP a fixed four-year tenure regardless of age or service years, stressing that the amendment contradicts existing public service regulations and was hastily passed without a clear constitutional or legal framework to resolve tenure disputes.
CISLAC also noted that the development has led to arbitrary extensions of office tenure for some selected officers.
Drawing a historical parallel, CISLAC likened the current situation to past political maneuvers, saying that the situation echoes past political attempts such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s unsuccessful third-term bid, which the National Assembly rightly rejected in defense of democratic principles.
It also said; “Legislative processes should safeguard the rule of law and national stability rather than serve individual interests”.
CISLAC insisted that the Inspector General of Police must respect the PSC’s constitutional authority and ensure the prompt retirement of officers who have reached the statutory age or service limit.
The organization also called on the National Assembly to amend the Police Act to clarify tenure limitations and prevent conflicts with existing service regulations.
It further said; “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must intervene to uphold adherence to existing laws and prevent the politicization of Nigeria’s security institutions.
“The Judiciary must also provide legal clarity on the extent of the IGP’s tenure under the amended Police Act, ensuring compliance with public service regulations,” CISLAC stressed.
The organisation noted that democracy thrives on the rule of law, transparency, and accountability—principles that must remain non-negotiable.
It further said; “Allowing tenure manipulation and institutional conflicts to persist will undermine the credibility of Nigeria’s security agencies and promote impunity in governance”.
CISLAC therefore urged all stakeholders including civil society, media, and the public—to unite against the abuse of legislative and executive powers that jeopardize institutional integrity for the sake of national security and democratic stability.
