Omoyele Sowore has ignited a political firestorm by challenging the continued stay of Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, in office—despite the recent retirement of over 500 senior police officers. In a viral post on social media, Sowore lambasted the police leadership for what he called “an unlawful and self-serving retention of power” that defies logic and undermines institutional respect for succession norms.
Sowore further questioned the rationale behind Egbetokun’s extended tenure, noting that officers of equal or higher seniority have bowed out in adherence to the mandatory 35-year service rule. “If 500 men and women of the Force can retire without noise, what makes Egbetokun too special to leave?” Sowore wrote. “This is an egregious abuse of office under the pretext of political loyalty.”
Omoyele Sowore Raises Red Flag Over Quiet Exodus of Senior Officers
Omoyele Sowore raised alarm over the silent departure of hundreds of high-ranking police personnel, arguing that the mass retirement is part of a broader plan to centralize power in the office of the IGP. “These retirements weren’t just administrative—they were strategic evacuations to create room for unchecked control,” he said.
Sowore accused the current leadership of turning a blind eye to the damage such exits cause to operational continuity and institutional memory. “When over 500 officers vanish in two months, and no strategic replacement plan is made public, it’s more than oversight—it’s sabotage,” he declared. His statement underscores growing fears of systemic collapse within the ranks of Nigeria’s most vital security agency.
Sowore Questions Legal Basis of IGP’s Continued Stay
Omoyele Sowore didn’t mince words when he accused IGP Egbetokun of occupying his position illegally, stating that his retirement date under the 35-year rule had long passed. “The laws governing public service are clear, but once again, impunity has replaced legality,” Sowore argued. “Why hasn’t Egbetokun gone the way of others?”
He emphasized that Egbetokun’s tenure has exceeded all known statutory frameworks and called on President Tinubu to explain the legal justification behind the IGP’s continued stay. “This is not about politics; it’s about restoring the rule of law,” Sowore insisted. “We’re witnessing a flagrant disregard for the Police Act—and that’s dangerous for democracy.”
Sowore Accuses Presidency of Enabling Police Capture
Omoyele Sowore took his criticism a step further by accusing the Presidency of orchestrating a political hijack of the Nigeria Police Force. “The IGP’s overstay isn’t accidental—it’s backed by a cabal that thrives on control, not competence,” Sowore alleged. “They’re transforming the police into a tool of political entrenchment, not law enforcement.”
He warned that the current scenario smacks of institutional capture, where key security bodies are manipulated to serve elite interests. “The police are no longer neutral arbiters; they’ve become enforcers of political will,” he added. According to Sowore, unless this cycle is broken, elections, protests, and even civil liberties will remain under siege.
Sowore Rallies Civil Society to Demand Accountability
Omoyele Sowore called on civil society organizations to rise against what he described as “a creeping dictatorship disguised as leadership continuity.” He urged activists, legal professionals, and student unions to demand the immediate resignation of the IGP and full transparency on police appointments. “This is a national emergency. It’s time to act,” he declared.
He also challenged the National Assembly to launch a formal inquiry into the tenure of top security officials, warning that silence from oversight bodies emboldens impunity. “If the lawmakers remain mute while service rules are flouted, they become complicit,” Sowore stated. His rallying cry has already sparked conversations within several advocacy coalitions.
Sowore Warns of Institutional Collapse Amid Presidential Silence
Omoyele Sowore concluded with a stinging rebuke of the Presidency’s silence on the controversy, warning that the police institution is on the verge of collapse. “When rules are applied selectively and silence is used to mask illegality, the entire system teeters,” he cautioned. “The President’s refusal to act is either ignorance or complicity.”
He reiterated that leadership by exception is not sustainable in a democracy, especially in the security sector. “Nigeria cannot afford a lawless police structure,” Sowore asserted. “This is a call to action—for patriots, lawyers, legislators, and citizens—to rescue the Force before it becomes a pawn beyond redemption.”
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