Human rights activist and the convener of the RevolutionNow movement Omoyele Sowore, has made a strong case for equal principles in response to the Police Service Commission’s recent approval of immediate retirement for senior police officers above 60 years of age or with more than 35 years of service.
Sowore’s demand for equal principles within the Nigeria Police Force coincides with public calls for the resignation of Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
The demand for Egbetokun’s resignation regarding tenure has intensified as he has exceeded the retirement age and had his tenure “illegally” extended
Taking to his social media page, Sowore wrote, “It is unacceptable for Kayode Egbetokun, the Illegal General of Police, to supervise the retirement of his contemporaries and age-falsifying co-conspirators while retaining his position in the Nigeria Police Force. Equal principles must apply to everyone. #EgbetokunMustGo #RevolutionNow”
The Police Service Commission (PSC) had on Friday approved the retirement of police officers above 60 years old or have spent 35 years in service.
The PSC took the decision at an extraordinary meeting, citing Public Service Rule which provides for the retirement on attainment of 35 years in service or 60 years of age.
The development implies a complete purge from the police service all age mates of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, who despite crossing 60 in September last year will remain in service.
Mr Egbetokun’s stay in office was made possible by a controversial amendment to the Police Act last year which saw his tenure extended to 2027 unlawfully.
This development comes as activist Omoyele Sowore’s social media posts describe Mr. Egbetokun as an “illegal IGP,” stoking further debate on the circumstances surrounding the amendment that allowed him to retain his position.
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