The President Chose The Best Man For The Job

By Babatunde Ogala, SAN

I have been reading some disturbing posts accusing President Bola Tinubu of being unfair in his choice of Tunji Disu as the next Inspector-General of Police. The authors of these posts are particularly upset that Tunji Disu’s appointment will lead to the premature retirement of DIG Frank Mba, who is senior in rank to Disu in the Nigeria Police Force.

The reality is that the appointment of an Inspector General of Police is the prerogative of the President, who selects the person he believes is best suited for the job. Moreover, Frank Mba is not the only DIG in the Force who was bypassed. There are other DIGs, including Hamzat Ade Ayinde and Funsho Adegboye who are both Yorubas. They will also be affected by the sweeping retirements that typically accompany such an appointment, because they are Tunji Disu’s seniors. As a matter of fact, three of my classmates will also be affected in the tsunami.

It is fundamentally wrong to give Tunji Disu’s appointment an ethnic coloration. Some people conveniently forget that Frank Mba was once junior to Tunji Disu in the Force. Both men joined on 18th May 1992: Tunji Disu entered as an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) due to his university degree, while Frank Mba joined as a Cadet Inspector with a secondary school certificate. Though, he later earned a degree in Law while in service.

Has anyone wondered how Frank Mba became senior to Tunji Disu in service? Deservedly, Mba has benefited from accelerated promotions in the past, outpacing some of his superiors. One notable instance was his elevation from Commissioner of Police directly to Deputy Inspector-General of Police.
Anyone familiar with Tunji Disu’s career knows he is an outstanding police officer, a shining star in the Force. He is brilliant, incorruptible, dexterous, fair-minded, and energetic. He neither drinks, smokes, nor womanizes.

This is not about ethnicity. I strongly believe the President selected the best man for the job.