IGP addresses budget presentation drama at National Assembly, calls for public cooperation

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has clarified the events surrounding the Nigeria Police Force’s 2025 budget presentation to the Joint Committees on Police Affairs and Police Institutions at the National Assembly on January 16, 2025. The IGP labeled the disruption during the session as “unnecessary and avoidable,” emphasizing that all committee members had prior access to the budget documents.

Speaking on the incident, the IGP revealed that two versions of the budget were provided to committee members: a comprehensive document and an abridged version. Both versions, he assured, contained identical figures and facts, with the latter designed for easier comprehension. According to the IGP, the committee unanimously agreed that he should present the abridged version during the session, as all members had both documents.

However, the presentation was disrupted when Senator Onyekachi Nwoebonyi (Ebonyi North), who arrived late, began referencing the comprehensive document. Despite explanations from other committee members about the prior agreement, the senator refused to listen, causing a stir before abruptly leaving the session.

Describing the incident as “avoidable drama,” the IGP firmly stated, “Contrary to the reports circulating in the media, the Nigeria Police Force did not submit two different 2025 budgetary proposals to the joint committees. Both versions presented were consistent in content, differing only in presentation style.”

The IGP also used the opportunity to highlight the ongoing challenges facing the Nigeria Police Force due to budgetary constraints. He cited inadequate funding, delays in fund releases, and the restrictive envelope budgeting system as significant obstacles to modernizing the Force and ensuring effective service delivery.

Calling for patience and support, the IGP appealed to Nigerians, saying, “The Nigeria Police Force is committed to delivering exceptional service with professionalism and dedication. We ask for your cooperation as we strive to overcome these challenges and meet the growing demands of modern policing.”

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, reaffirmed the IGP’s commitment to transparency and professionalism in the budgeting process, urging the public to disregard misleading reports about the incident.