Since the Nigerian Presidency decided on extension of tenure for the performing Inspector General of Police, Egbetokun, the Sahara Reporters has conferred on itself the dishonorable task of running down and hurling invectives after invectives at the Police Chief.
Sadly, this task has been done in bad taste as the bulk of narratives relied on has been misinterpreted, untrue and even, sometimes, sheer concoctions that cannot stand the simple tests of scrutiny. Time to put the records straight, once and for all.
Firstly, the tenure extension IGP Egbetokun enjoys is backed by enabling laws of the Police Act, as amended. Section 7(6) allows the occupant of the office of the Inspector General to remain and complete the original four year term irrespective of the attainment of 60 years. By this Act, it is grossly erroneous to conclude that the continued stay, in office, of IGP Egbetokun is an aberration.
The distortion from Sahara Reporters that Senior Police Officers indicted for age-falsifying are saying they won’t retire unless “Egbetokun—who has also surpassed his retirement age—retires with them.” is just worsening the case of the officers who have contravened Civil Service rules. This should be separated from what applies to the IGP which has the backing of the law. One is criminality, the other is right before the law.
Furthermore, and this is very germane, there is the saying that “two wrongs do not make a right “. Even assuming that the extension of tenure of the IGP is in error(and I maintain it is not), is it licence for the perpetration of another illegality? Definitely not. Pushing such a narrative and relying on this kind of illogical reasoning exposes the warped and twisted nature of the psyche of Sahara Reporters and its support base. This is most unacceptable and not tenable, either in a just society or even in law. It is only advocating for a reversal to a state of anarchy.
Sowore said that the IGP Egbetokun instructed the release of N3 billion to POWA (Police Officer’s Wives Association), the umbrella body of wives of Police Officers headed by his wife. This is not so as POWA derives its funding from contributions from police officers.
A body whose primary responsibility is better life for the Police through the wives, its funding is contributory and this is primarily by Police Officers.
POWA is doing greatly empowering the wives of low-cadre officers and even officers by granting empowerment, in cash and in the provision of tools.
The insinuation that recent promotions within the Police Force is a fallout of the criticisms of Sowore is nothing but falsehood. Going by the release of the Ndigbo Young Professionals, promotions in the Police is laid down and structured. It is merit-based and had been initiated well before the criticisms of Sowore.
Sowore is a Nigerian and has a right to his freedom of speech, even criticisms. However, it is imperative that he draws a line between critical evaluation and inciting the people to anarchy. Advocating for a total shutdown of Nigeria is a brazen call and invitation to anarchy. It is totally unacceptable and is a treasonable offence.
The primary responsibility of the Police is to safeguard the citizens. In no way has this been abdicated. To suggest anything in the contrary in falsehood borne out of a seeming lack of anything tangible to say. Sowore should find more gainful things to do if he has run out of valid reasons for criticisms.
Alleging that the continued stay of the IGP in office is part of a larger scheme to compromise the 2027 election is insensitive and reckless. One wonders if Egbetokun is the political umpire to be able to sway the results of the elections. His only connection with that election is to offer comprehensive, watertight and round the clock security for INEC offices, officers as well as facilities.
Moreover, the IGP, relying on his mandate, has assured and reassured Nigerians of the readiness of the Police, under his watch, to deliver on its mandate to provide safe and enabling environment for the conduct of all elections. He has vowed to remain professional and apolitical whilst discharging Police duties.
Every institution, for smooth-running, relies on confidentiality. This is especially true of the Police. By going ahead to publish confidential Police documents, Sowore is undermining the strength of the Force thus setting a dangerous precedence. He should desist from this. Continuing in this trend has its consequences, under the laws.
The message of this writeup is unambiguously clear. Irrespective of the continued deliberate misleading of Omoyele Sowore, through his Sahara Reporters, the Nigeria Police does not have an illegal Inspector General but a constitutionally appointed one in Kayode Egbetokun who, fortunately, is tops at his job.
Sahara Reporters, indeed, goofed!
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