Omoyele Sowore, human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has strongly criticized the continued tenure of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, calling it an unconstitutional extension designed to manipulate the 2027 elections.
Sowore, in a statement released today, described Egbetokun’s prolonged stay in office as a “rigging plot” orchestrated by the current administration to maintain control over Nigeria’s security apparatus ahead of the next presidential election. He warned that “impunity will consume him”, emphasizing that the rule of law must prevail over political maneuvering.
The controversy surrounding Egbetokun’s tenure stems from a recent amendment to the Police Act, which allowed him to remain in office beyond the statutory retirement age of 60. Critics, including Sowore, argue that this move was strategically designed to benefit President Bola Tinubu’s administration, raising concerns about the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.
Sowore’s remarks follow reports that he has been charged with cybercrime for publicly referring to Egbetokun as an “illegal IGP.” The charges, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, allege that Sowore’s statements could incite unrest, but he remains defiant, insisting that his criticisms are based on constitutional principles and the need for transparency in governance.