Leaders, they say, come and go but offices remain immovable. It is no longer news that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mike Mbama Okiro, would retire from the Nigeria Police in July. Another person from among Okiro’s subordinates will step into his shoes.

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Becoming IGP in this part of the world is no child’s play. Little wonder then that security watchers have been eager to know who would wear the big shoes Okiro would be leaving behind after clocking 60 years of age and completing 35 years of service in the Nigeria Police.

Though, it is not possible for all senior police officers to become IGPs, there are some that this prestigious office surely fit and match. That is not to say that they are better than others, but the wind of change may just blow favourably in their direction.

While some of the likely successors of the IGP are Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs), others are Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) – anyone from either rank can occupy the exalted position of IGP.

Ogbonnaya Onovo

Mr. Ogbonnaya Onovo, DIG, Administration and Finance (A), is the highest-ranking officer after the present IGP. He is naturally supposed to succeed Okiro, just like in the time of Tafa Balogun, when the then DIG, Administration and Finance, Mr. Sunday Ehindero, took over as the next person in rank to Balogun. Security watchers expect that history to repeat itself this time.

At the expiration of Ehindero’s tenure, as the next person in rank to him, many had thought Onovo would take over. When at the end of the day Okiro’s name was mentioned, people felt Onovo’s time would still come to head the police.

Enugu State-born Onovo, who is expected to retire in 2012, is the longest serving DIG in the country today and also the most senior. He was promoted to the rank on March 14, 2002. Apart from the different police formations and offices he had served at various times, Onovo was head of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The known odd against this 56 year old officer is, probably, that he is not from the northern part of the country, as there has been insinuation that the next IGP would come from the north.

Uba Ringim

Alhaji Uba Ringim is the second in command to Onovo, according to seniority among the DIGs. The 1977 Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) is the DIG in charge of Training (E). This quiet and unassuming man, according to an unconfirmed source, has been penciled down by the Presidency for the position of IGP.

He has served and excelled at various police formations. The Jigawa State-born officer is expected to retire by 2014.

John Hamza Ahmadu

Mr. John Hamza Ahmadu, 54, is from Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State. Ahmadu, DIG, is one man that seems to be favoured by all and sundry for the job of IGP. Apart from the fact that he has relatively longer years in the service, the 1981 Cadet ASP is said to have performed creditably as Delta State Commissioner of Police (CP) and also when he was AIG in Sokoto. Ahmadu was said to have ensured that there was peace and tranquility and that the zone was devoid of religious or inter tribal conflict.

Ahmadu is the DIG in charge of Research and Planning (F) Department. For his doggedness and gallantry, his legs sure fit the big shoes.

He has the longest years to serve in the Force, as his service will terminate in 2015. Ahmadu ranks among the well favoured for the job.

Israel Ajao

Israel Olusoji Ajao is the most senior AIG in the Nigeria Police. Ajao, whose works have been speaking for him in Ogun and Lagos states, is the first officer to be CP of the two states simultaneously and also AIG of Zone 2, comprising the two states. He is believed to be one of those favoured to be Okiro’s successor.

A Barrister at Law, and an administrator, Ajao will be retiring by 2012.

Declan Uzorma

Declan Uzorma, from Imo State, is one of the people tipped for the IGP office. Uzorma, AIG Zone 4, Yola, has a clean bill in terms of discharging his duty as a police officer. He would be completing his service by 2010.

Olusegun Efuntayo

Olusegun Efuntayo is one of the youngest among the AIGs. He combines brain and bravery in the discharge of his job. A no-nonsense officer, the Ipetumodu, Osun State-born AIG is widely considered a good candidate for the IGP post. 

He has served at different police formations, including Ogun and Abia State commands as CP. Both states recorded outstanding peace and tranquility during Efuntayo’s time. He is currently the AIG in charge of Zone 9, Abia State, and is expected to retire by 2015.

Emmanuel Anuniru

Emmanuel Anuniru, AIG Zone 11, Oshogbo, is among officers positioned for the IGP job. He is expected to retire next year.

Ivy Uche Okoronkwo

The highest-ranking woman in the Nigeria Police, Mrs. Ivy Uche Okoronkwo has successfully combined marital life and the job of policing. Given President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s gender equality stance, the former Ekiti State CP may by chance emerge the first female IGP in the country.

Azubuiko Udah

Azubuiko Udah, AIG Zone 6, Calabar, was in Zone 5, Benin City. He combines his police work with evangelical activities. The Abia State-born officer will retire by 2014.

Ganiyu Dawodu

Ganiyu Dawodu, a Lagos State indigene, enlisted in the force in 1981. He is AIG Zone 12, Bauchi. The former AIG Zone 1, Kano, stands out as a likely successor to Okiro.

Hafiz Ringim

Hafiz Ringim is one time Adamawa State CP and is currently Commandant, National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos. He is one of those being considered as Okiro’s likely successor. Apart from the fact that he is from the northern part of the country, Jigawa to be precise, Ringim is young, agile, and brilliant. The tall handsome officer was enlisted in the force in 1977 and is expected to retire by 2012.

Udom Udo Ekpoudom

Udom Udo Ekpoudom is from Etim Ekpo in Akwa Ibom State. He is reputed to be a straightforward and intelligent officer. Little wonder he was made the Force Secretary, an office that has to do with a lot of brainwork and mental alertness. Ekpoudom, who has served in various states as CP, is known for his doggedness and gallantry. He is expected to retire by 2013.

Muktar Abbass

Muktar Abbass is Commandant, Police Academy (POLAC), Kano. He is one of the officers favoured for the post of IGP. He will be retiring by 2010.

Mohammed Abubakar

Popularly called MD, Mohammed Abubakar is one of the finest officers in the Nigeria Police has ever produced. He is known for hard work and gallantry. MD does not believe an officer should sit in his office and dole out instructions to his subordinates. He goes out always to monitor the activities of his boys and participates in crime fighting. He is currently the AIG Zone 2, Lagos. The Gusau, Zamfara State-born officer will be retiring in 2014.

The next IGP would, obviously, be a front runner for the post of Chief COP when Okiro retires in July.