Omoyele Sowore, the human rights activist on Wednesday led a protest to the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, demanding the immediate dismissal of Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
The protesters accuse Egbetokun of illegally occupying the office following his mandatory retirement in September 2024.
Carrying large banners with an altered image of Egbetokun — now wearing President Tinubu’s signature cap, with his face crossed out in red — the protesters chanted solidarity songs as they rallied.
They condemned Egbetokun’s continued stay in office as a clear violation of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates that public servants retire after 35 years of service or upon reaching 60, whichever comes first.
Speaking to journalists, Sowore, the former presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC), highlighted the irony of Egbetokun’s recent actions. He pointed out that while the IGP had overseen the retirement of Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), Assistant Inspectors General (AIGs), and Commissioners of Police (CPs) in recent months, he had refused to step down himself.
“One retired officer is in jail for impersonating a police officer, while Egbetokun continues in office after retirement. This is unjust and unacceptable,” Sowore declared.
The protesters cited a September 2024 statement from the Attorney General, which confirmed that Egbetokun’s tenure had legally ended and raised questions about why President Bola Tinubu has allowed him to remain in office.
“Even Tinubu has no authority to override the Constitution,” Sowore asserted. “If he loves Egbetokun so much, he can appoint him as manager of the NURTW (National Union of Road Transport Workers) after retirement. But no retired officer should wear the police uniform.”
Sowore also linked Nigeria’s worsening security crisis to Egbetokun’s leadership, citing last week’s killing of about 60 people in Plateau State within 48 hours before police mobilised tactical units.
“What happened to intelligence gathering? Is the police only effective when tracking critics on social media?” Sowore asked, accusing the IGP of reactive rather than proactive leadership.
He further noted that the extension of Egbetokun’s tenure had demoralized rank-and-file officers and stifled career progression for younger personnel.
“How can ASPs dream of becoming IGP if the position is held hostage?” Sowore remarked.
The activist demanded that Egbetokun vacate the office immediately and refund all salaries collected since September 4, 2024—his official retirement date. They also rejected tenure extensions for other public officials, including the Comptroller-General of Immigration.
“No one should overstay, not even for a day,” Sowore insisted. “After removal, he must return every kobo earned illegally,” he added.
In 2024, the National Assembly amended the Police Act to extend the tenure of the Inspector General of Police beyond their retirement age. Before this amendment, Section 18(8) of the Police Act stipulated that police officers must retire upon reaching 60 years of age or after 35 years of service, whichever comes first.
However, Section 7(6) provided that the IGP serves a four-year term. This meant an IGP appointed shortly before retirement age would serve less than the full four-year term.
The National Assembly passed the Police Act (Amendment) Bill in July 2024, introducing a new subsection 18(8A): “Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (8) of this section, any person appointed to the office of Inspector-General of Police shall remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in the letter of appointment in line with the provisions of Section 7(6) of this Act.”
The amendment allows Egbetokun, who was appointed in June 2023, to complete his full four-year term, despite turning 60 in September 2024, unless he is removed or voluntarily resigns.
While federal lawmakers argue that the amendment is designed to ensure leadership continuity, it has sparked significant debate. Some stakeholders have raised concerns that extending the IGP’s tenure beyond the traditional retirement age could lead to stagnation within the police force and potentially affect internal security dynamics.
Furthermore, Sowore has challenged the legality of Egbetokun’s extended tenure, asserting that Egbetokun ought to have retired in September 2024 when he turned 60.
