A Civil Society Organization (CSO), Concerned Citizens for Justice and Rule of Law, has strongly condemned what it calls baseless and malicious attacks by Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 Presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC), on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.
At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the CSO accused Sowore of attempting to undermine Nigeria’s security framework.
The group’s spokesperson, Comrade Kabir Matazu, praised IGP Egbetokun’s dedication to national security and efforts to combat crime, emphasizing that Nigeria is not a place for anarchists and that the rule of law will always take precedence over individuals like Sowore.
Matazu commended Egbetokun for his professional approach to leadership, highlighting that while others boast about their accomplishments, the IGP quietly implemented reforms that have made significant strides in reducing crime.
Under his leadership, incidents of violent crime, including kidnappings, armed robbery, and terrorism, have notably decreased. Furthermore, community policing initiatives have fostered trust between citizens and law enforcement, leading to improved cooperation in intelligence-sharing.
“Despite these successes, the IGP remains humble and avoids self-promotion—an admirable trait of genuine leadership. It is no wonder that Sowore and his supporters are unhappy with Nigeria’s progress in fighting crime,” Matazu remarked.
The CSO also argued that Sowore’s attacks on the IGP are part of a calculated attempt to distract the public from the substantial strides being made in securing the nation.
Matazu further criticized Sowore, calling him a professional protest organizer and an agent of destabilization, who has made a career of inciting chaos and spreading misinformation.
The group also noted that unlike those who misuse power, IGP Egbetokun has handled Sowore’s provocations through legal channels rather than resorting to intimidation, emphasizing that Sowore’s attacks are a diversion from Nigeria’s crime-fighting efforts. Matazu reaffirmed the group’s support for IGP Egbetokun and urged him to stay focused on securing the nation.
Meanwhile, the Afenifere Youth Coalition also condemned Sowore’s attacks on prominent Yoruba public figures, including his recent verbal assault on IGP Egbetokun.
The group pointed to a self-incriminating video posted by Sowore, in which he resisted and obstructed public officers, accusing him of trying to destabilize President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The Afenifere Youth Coalition criticized Sowore for thriving on controversy and political blackmail, claiming that his career revolves around inciting protests and misleading the public while presenting himself as a democratic hero, all in exchange for financial gain from those benefiting from instability.
The group also condemned Sowore’s false accusations and online harassment, which led to 16 counts of cybercrime charges against him. Instead of confronting these charges, they argued, Sowore has continued to manipulate public sentiment by portraying himself as a victim.
The coalition stressed the need for the judiciary to hold Sowore accountable for his online defamation and cyberbullying, calling for justice to be served as a deterrent to others. They also criticized his Sahara Reporters platform for spreading misleading, politically motivated stories.
Finally, the Afenifere Youth Coalition noted that Sowore’s failure to secure significant votes in the 2023 presidential election demonstrated his inadequacy as a politician.
They praised IGP Egbetokun for his patience, professionalism, and commitment to due process in addressing the defamation case against Sowore.
