President Muhammadu Buhari said he chose Usman Baba over others including Moses Jitoboh, a senior Deputy Inspector General of Police as the acting inspector general of police because he has been a policeman for a long time and “has the necessary experience.”
Baba’s appointment, which will be forwarded to the Senate for confirmation, will effectively deny Mr Jitoboh, the police chief from Bayelsa who should have been the inspector general in line with the law.
Buhari, who announced the acting police chief’s appointment while in London, spoke to State House correspondents on arrival from his medical trip to London, at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, also said he followed due process in selecting the new police chief.
He stated, “Well, we went through the system. There was a committee by the Minister of Police Affairs, they gave me some names, and he happened to be the one chosen.
“He knows his job. He has been in it for a long time. He went through all the training. He has the necessary experience.”
“So, we have a high expectation from him,” the president added.
He, however, urged the new service chiefs and Mr Baba to work diligently towards meeting Nigerians’ expectations.
President Buhari gave the charge while assessing the performances of the new service chiefs and the tasks before them and that of the acting inspector general of police.
Buhari explained, “They (service chiefs) have been in the system all the way. They know what is wrong.”
He further said, “They know what is right, and I think they are doing their best.
“I hope their best will be good enough for Nigeria.”
