The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) is embroiled in a crisis of tenure elongation with discontentment among its top hierarchy, The Nation has learnt. 

Some stakeholders and concerned persons are worried over alleged attempts by the Comptroller-General of the Service, Isa Idris Jere to seek further extension of his tenure having enjoyed an initial favour in that respect by President Muhammadu Buhari. 

Questions are also being asked over the extension of the tenure of the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of the Directorate of Passport and other travel documents,  Mrs Modupe Anyalechi. 

 The stakeholders want the Comptroller-General and the Deputy Comptroller-General to step down claiming their tenures have ended.  There are fears that aggrieved operatives of the Immigration Service might embark on street protests against continuous extension of tenure of the senior officers.

In a petition addressed to Buhari, a group acting under the aegis of Concerned Nigeria Immigration Stakeholders expressed worry over recent developments in the Service. 

The group, in a petition endorsed by its Convener,  Comrade Akinwale Ayomipo Dennis, called on Buhari not to allow the Comptroller-General and others scheming for extension of tenure rubbish his legacies. 

It enjoined the President to save Nigeria Immigration Service, its integrity and sanctity from being destroyed by self serving senior officers. 

The group further alleged that the CG has plans to stay beyond April 2023 with scheduled official assignments beyond the approved date for his tenure by Buhari.  

In the case of Mrs Anyalechi, findings by that she has attained her retirement age on May 17, 2022, having joined the immigration service on April 5, 1988, with her birth record of April 17, 1962. However, she is still in service eleven months after. 

Sources within the service confirmed that Mrs Anyalechi’s tenure was legally extended for six months from May to November 2022, notwithstanding protests from the Service. 

 The source further alleged that there are plans by some vested interests to keep her in service till June 2023.

 However when asked to comment on the issues, the NIS Public Relations Officer,  Tony Akuneme, said he was outside the country on a visit to his family and promised to provide official reactions as soon as possible. 

As at the time of filing this report, Akuneme was yet to respond to inquiries. 

Source: The Nation