Dare Babalola
President Bola Tinubu has revealed how former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, once declined to serve as his aide-de-camp (ADC) during his time as governor of Lagos State, citing respect for hierarchy and institutional order.
Tinubu made the disclosure in a goodwill message on Wednesday to mark Egbetokun’s retirement from the Nigeria Police Force, describing the decision as a defining moment that reflected the former police chief’s discipline and humility.
Recounting their early professional relationship, the President said his first encounter with Egbetokun dates back to 1998, when he was impressed by the officer’s character and sense of duty despite his relatively junior rank at the time.
However, it was a subsequent interaction in 1999, shortly after his election as governor of Lagos State, that left a lasting impression.
“In 1999, upon my election as governor of Lagos State, I considered him for the role of aide-de-camp. Characteristically, he declined, noting he was senior to Tunji Disu and that the younger officer should assume the position,” Tinubu said.
According to the President, Egbetokun’s decision to step aside in favour of a more junior officer demonstrated rare professionalism and adherence to institutional norms.
“In that moment, I saw again his discipline, modesty, and respect for order. He instead served as my chief security officer, a role he discharged with professionalism, loyalty, and diligence,” he added.
Tinubu noted that the incident reinforced his long-standing perception of Egbetokun as a principled officer, a trait he said remained consistent throughout his career.
The President further traced Egbetokun’s career trajectory across various strategic postings, including the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos, the Police Mobile Force, the Federal Capital Territory Command, and the Kwara State Command, among others.
He described the former police chief’s career as one marked by “discipline, consistency, and results,” adding that his eventual appointment as Inspector-General of Police in 2023 was a natural progression.
“He evolved from a promising young officer into a refined, strategic, and dependable leader, shaped by experience and guided by principle,” Tinubu said.
The President credited Egbetokun’s leadership of the Nigeria Police Force with bringing “stability, clarity, and professionalism,” particularly through efforts to strengthen institutions and promote intelligence-driven policing.
While acknowledging his retirement, Tinubu commended Egbetokun for what he described as a lifetime of service defined by integrity and loyalty, wishing him good health and fulfilment in his post-service life.
