Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore led a protest on Wednesday at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters (FHQ) in Abuja, calling for the immediate removal of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun.
The protesters accuse Egbetokun of illegally holding the office following his mandatory retirement in September 2024.
Carrying large banners featuring an altered image of Egbetokun—depicted wearing President Tinubu’s signature cap with his face crossed out in red—the protesters chanted solidarity songs as they rallied in front of the Police Headquarters.
They condemned Egbetokun’s continued stay in office, arguing that it violated the 1999 Constitution, which mandates that public servants retire after 35 years of service or upon reaching 60 years of age, whichever comes first.
Speaking to journalists, Sowore, who was a former presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC), emphasized the irony of Egbetokun’s actions.
He pointed out that while Egbetokun 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 also cited a September 2024 statement from the Attorney General, which confirmed that Egbetokun’s tenure had legally ended and questioned why President Bola Tinubu had 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 deteriorating security situation to Egbetokun’s leadership.
He cited last week’s tragic killings in Plateau State, where about 60 people were killed within 48 hours before police mobilized tactical units.
“What happened to intelligence gathering? Is the police only effective when tracking critics on social media?” Sowore asked, accusing the IGP of leading a reactive rather than proactive force.
He also 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 he had received since September 4, 2024, his official retirement date.
The protesters 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 the 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) of the Act provided that the IGP serves a four-year term.
This meant that an IGP appointed close to retirement age would serve less than a full four-year term.
In July 2024, the National Assembly passed the Police Act (Amendment) Bill, which introduced 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, appointed in June 2023, to complete his full four-year term, despite reaching the age of 60 in September 2024, unless he is removed or resigns voluntarily.
While federal lawmakers argue that the amendment is necessary to ensure continuity of leadership, it has sparked significant debate.
Some stakeholders have expressed 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.
Sowore has challenged the legality of Egbetokun’s extended tenure, asserting that the IGP should have retired in September 2024 when he turned 60.
