Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu, has reportedly requested “special promotion” for eight police officers attached to top political figures, according to a report by TheCable.
The report stated that the requests were contained in two separate letters addressed to the Police Service Commission (PSC), raising legal and ethical concerns over the commission’s constitutional powers.
According to the report, one of the letters specifically requested special promotion for officers attached to the president. The letters, dated February 20, 2026, reportedly contained the names of eight officers in total, three in one letter and five in another.
The request allegedly sought the promotion of one officer from assistant commissioner of police (ACP) to deputy commissioner of police (DCP), while two others were recommended for elevation from chief superintendent of police (CSP) to assistant commissioner of police (ACP).
“By this letter, therefore, I am recommending the promotion of the officers to their next ranks in recognition of their exemplary leadership qualities, gallantry, teamwork and general performance of their duties in their respective offices,” Gbajabiamila reportedly wrote.
“As I anticipate your expeditious consideration of the request, kindly accept the assurances of my highest esteem, please.”
The report further noted that the request may conflict with provisions of the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act of 2001, which grants the PSC sole authority over appointments and promotions within the Nigeria Police Force, excluding only the office of the inspector-general of police.
“The Commission shall be responsible for the appointment and promotion of persons (other than the office of the Inspector-General of Police) in the Commission Nigeria Police Force,” the Act states.
“The Commission shall not be subject to the direction, control or supervision of any other authority or person in performance of its functions other than as is prescribed in this Act.”
While the law permits the president to issue policy directives to the commission, such powers are limited to general policy matters and do not extend to direct promotion requests.
The development has also revived conversations around alleged preferential treatment within the current administration. The report referenced the controversial promotions involving President Tinubu’s aide-de-camp, Nurudeen Yusuf, who reportedly received accelerated military promotions in 2025.
A presidency source alleged that some officials were taking advantage of their closeness to the president to influence military and police hierarchy.
“The president’s men are using their proximity to baba to get away with desecrating the military and police hierarchy,” the source reportedly said.
“In the past, I used to vouch that baba knows nothing about this, but with the drama that went on with his ADC, it became clear that he might just be looking away.
“You will expect that Tunji Disu, who promised his men improved welfare, will not approve this special promotion, but watch him dance to the tunes and pressure of our people. Once baba has spoken, who is Disu to drag his feet?”
Another police officer interviewed by the publication warned that the practice could negatively affect morale among frontline officers battling insecurity across the country.
“In Yobe, 17 police officers were killed; nobody from the villa called their families or went to pay condolence visits,” the officer said.
“Those ones don’t get special promotions; they don’t even get presidential handshakes, but the ones who salute the president, drive in AC vehicles, and eat presidential food get presidential promotions for enjoyment.”
“If Tinubu continues like this, morale will be low, and men on the frontlines will have nothing to fight for again.”
Source: TheCable
