Sowore blasts Tinubu, says Egbetokun’s initial appointment as IGP was a blunder
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following the reported sack of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, describing the development as proof that the appointment was flawed from the outset.
In a statement shared on his social media platforms on Tuesday, Sowore argued that Egbetokun’s removal validates earlier concerns raised by critics about the circumstances surrounding his emergence as the nation’s top cop. According to him, leadership of critical security institutions such as the Nigeria Police Force should be driven strictly by competence, integrity, and adherence to due process.
“The problem was never just about removal; it was about the original decision,” Sowore said, insisting that the appointment reflected a pattern of political patronage rather than merit-based selection.
He further contended that instability in the leadership of the police force weakens institutional effectiveness and erodes public trust at a time when Nigeria is grappling with heightened insecurity, including banditry, kidnapping, and communal clashes across several states.
Sowore also called for comprehensive police reforms, stressing the need for operational independence, improved welfare for officers, and accountability mechanisms to rebuild citizens’ confidence in law enforcement.
While the Presidency is yet to issue a detailed response to Sowore’s comments, sources within government circles maintain that changes in security leadership are part of broader efforts to reposition the nation’s security architecture.
The development has since sparked reactions across the political spectrum, with supporters and critics of the administration debating the implications of the IGP’s removal on national security and governance.
