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Sowore Accuses IGP Egbetokun of Oppressing Protesters to Extend Tenure
Nigerian activist and politician Omoyele Sowore has raised serious allegations against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, accusing him of targeting activists and protesters under the guise of fighting treason in an effort to secure an extension of his tenure.
According to Sowore, Egbetokun, whose tenure is set to end on September 4, 2024, has been seeking a four-year extension, despite what Sowore describes as a record of oppressive actions.
Sowore, a prominent figure in the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria movement, claims that the IGP has escalated his crackdown on activists and demonstrators across the country as part of an effort to appease the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
In his statement, Sowore stated that protesters, particularly those involved in the ongoing struggle for better governance, are now facing charges of treason, an accusation he says is being used as a political tool to silence dissent.
The activist went on to detail a series of violent actions allegedly carried out under Egbetokun’s orders. He highlighted that in August alone, more than 40 protesters, many of them from the northern regions of Nigeria, were reportedly killed by security forces on Egbetokun’s orders.
He further claimed that over 2,000 individuals were arrested and detained during protests, with many of them being subjected to summary trials and indefinite imprisonment.
Sowore alleged that these actions are part of a calculated strategy by the IGP to secure favour from the current government, referring to President Bola Tinubu as a “maximum dictator.”
He argues that Egbetokun is attempting to show his loyalty and usefulness to the regime by using excessive force to suppress public dissent and civil disobedience, particularly targeting those calling for an end to bad governance in Nigeria.
The outspoken activist also criticized the broader state of governance in Nigeria, calling attention to what he perceives as a growing trend of authoritarianism under the current administration.
Sowore’s statement serves as a stark warning to Nigerians and the international community about the potential dangers of extending the tenure of a police chief he views as complicit in human rights abuses.
These accusations come amid increasing tensions in the country, as protests against perceived government failures continue to grow.
The #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria movement, which draws inspiration from the 2020 #EndSARS protests, has once again brought to the forefront issues of police brutality, government corruption, and the suppression of civil liberties.
Sowore’s claims are likely to further inflame the ongoing debate around the state of governance in Nigeria and the role of security forces in maintaining order at the cost of human rights.
As of now, there has been no official response from the office of the IGP or the Nigerian government regarding Sowore’s accusations.
However, the activist’s remarks are sure to increase scrutiny on Egbetokun’s tenure and the actions of the police under his leadership as the country awaits a decision on his potential extension.
TV anchor Rufai Oseni makes headlines as he speaks on fuel subsidy in Nigeria. He shared that Nigeria can have fuel subsidy without the long queues at filling stations.
“When we were still paying subsidies, there were no long queues. We were subsidising. So you can still have a subsidy regime going on, and there will be no long queues because production was close by. Dangote had it. That’s just it. That argument also falls flat.
“The biggest beneficiaries of subsidy are not Nigerians. They are crony capitalists that have big infrastructure, and they do contracts. They have been the biggest beneficiaries of the subsidy,” he said.
Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, speaks to those in the electricity sector about the usual blackouts in the state.
He speaks on ways things can change in the state and how electricity can be provided.
“We need to drop corporate egos, abandon long-standing excuses, and confront the harsh realities obstructing progress in the power sector.”
“We, state governments, used to give excuses that everything is centralised, so the Federal Government has unbundled it now. What have we done in a year and a half?” Sanwo-Olu asked.
“We take two steps forward, we go five steps backward,” he said.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared Thursday, August 20, a work-free day for public servants in the state to mark the Isese Festival.
Speaking on the celebration, he said “Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not a relic. It is a living expression of our traditions and a celebration of Yoruba spirituality as an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and religious landscape,” he said.
He added “When the drums sound in Lagos on Thursday, they answer drums in Havana, in Salvador, in Port of Spain. Fifty-five million people and counting. Lagos is not observing a local holiday. Lagos is standing at the centre of a global heritage,” Aregbe said.
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