By Okechukwu Nwanguma
When President Bola Tinubu manipulated the legislative process to extend the tenure of Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun—who had already reached the statutory retirement age—many suspected a hidden agenda.
Today, it is becoming alarmingly clear: Egbetokun is being weaponised as an enforcer in a grand design to crush dissent, consolidate power, and prepare the ground for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027—by any means necessary.
The recent arrest and detention of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, based on a flimsy petition allegedly filed by one of Egbetokun’s associates, is a chilling example of how far the Nigerian government is willing to go to muzzle critics. It is not just an abuse of power—it is a descent into tyranny.
The Yoruba Union, Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá, has rightly raised the alarm, demanding Egbetokun’s immediate dismissal and threatening to occupy Nigerian embassies globally if President Tinubu fails to act. Their outrage reflects the sentiments of many Nigerians who are tired of the ongoing culture of impunity and the erosion of democratic values under this administration.
How did we get here? When institutions meant to protect citizens are transformed into personal militias for the ruling elite, when police officers detain citizens not for breaking laws but for challenging power, and when those who raise their voices are treated as enemies of the state, it is clear that Nigeria is teetering on the edge of becoming a full-blown banana republic.
Under Egbetokun’s leadership, the police have lost every shred of credibility. Once regarded as defenders of law and order, they now operate as a repressive arm of the presidency. His refusal to step down after reaching retirement age, and Tinubu’s complicity in this illegality, further illustrates the breakdown of constitutional order.
Sowore’s detention is not just an isolated act of repression. It is part of a broader crackdown on civic space, freedom of expression, and democratic activism. It is also a glaring act of hypocrisy. Here is a man who has consistently advocated for the welfare of police officers, now being hounded by the very institution he sought to reform. Egbetokun’s vendetta-driven tactics do not just betray the oath of his office—they shame the uniform he wears.
What is most disturbing is the apparent impunity with which these actions are carried out. The IGP is acting like a demigod—unaccountable, untouchable, and emboldened by a president who appears more interested in silencing opposition than upholding justice.
The Yoruba Union’s demands are not unreasonable. They want accountability. They want rule of law. They want a Nigeria that respects its own Constitution. They want a police force that serves the people, not the president. Their call for international sanctions and visa bans on Egbetokun and his family is a logical next step in the absence of domestic accountability.
Let it be clear: Nigeria is not the personal estate of any leader. It is not a dictatorship in disguise. It is a democracy, fought for and defended with the blood and sweat of generations of activists and citizens. President Tinubu must be reminded that power is not eternal, and that history is unkind to those who abuse it.
We must all rise in solidarity with Sowore and every other Nigerian whose rights are under siege. We must demand the immediate release of all political detainees and call for an independent investigation into the growing use of the police to settle personal scores.
This administration may believe it can govern through fear and intimidation. But Nigerians are watching. The world is watching. And history is watching.
Enough is enough.
