Omoyele Sowore Says Egbetokun’s Resignation Proves Tenure Was Never Legal
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has said the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun as Inspector-General of Police is an admission that his continued stay in office was unlawful.
The Genius Media Nigeria reports that Sowore made the claim during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday.
“This removal or resignation, as they like to address it, is an acknowledgment of the fact that his tenure was never legit,” he said.
The activist accused the former IGP of using force against police officers who demanded improved welfare.
Sowore alleged, “He did use force, I was arrested after we did the police protest, detained and attacked inside the cell at the Force Intelligence Department by men of the police force led by the Chief Superintendent of Police.
“Several policemen who forwarded messages and WhatsApp groups asking for better welfare for policemen and promoting our protests were also arrested. So many of them were kicked out of the police force, some of them were detained for several months, so he did use force.”
Sowore further claimed that during a visit to the Force Headquarters while Egbetokun was still in office, he interacted with officers who shared concerns about internal issues within the police.
“Even while he was in office at the headquarters, you must have seen a video. I visited the headquarters briefly, and I know what I heard from policemen,” he added.
Sowore also criticised Egbetokun’s leadership, alleging that he failed to tackle insecurity and professionalise the force.
He further stated, “He was the person who declared that he was the tiger himself; he was a sheep throughout his tenure. He did nothing to curb criminal activities, nothing to actually bring professionalism.
“He just fumbled through his tenure. That is why it’s important that we recognise that it’s important to take a stand when issues or principles are involved.”
He maintained that extending the tenure of a police chief beyond retirement age without clear legal backing was wrong.
“The principle here is that when someone is retired and the law didn’t give you the permission to extend your tenure for four years, don’t try to do it,” he stated.
Sowore further alleged that the former IGP promoted undeserving officers while sidelining others, adding that protests by police personnel led to the promotion of 74,000 officers and the removal of about 500 senior officers.
