By Kehinde Adewole
“Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.” – Frances Frei
In a political climate where sensationalism too often substitutes for substance, it is imperative to set the records straight when deliberate misinformation is thrown into the public sphere.
Recently, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate of African Alliance Congress, described the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, as “illegal.”
Such a claim is not only false, but it is also reckless, intellectually dishonest, and betrays a fundamental misunderstanding or deliberate distortion of the constitutional processes governing key appointments in Nigeria.
Let’s be clear: there is nothing illegal about the appointment or tenure of IGP Kayode Egbetokun. His appointment was made in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Police Act 2020, which clearly empower the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to appoint the IGP, subject to confirmation by the Police Council. That process was duly followed.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, exercising his constitutional powers, appointed Kayode Egbetokun as the Acting IGP in June 2023, and he was subsequently confirmed by the Police Council in line with due process. This is not a matter of opinion—it is legal fact.
Attempting to delegitimise that process for political gain or attention-seeking headlines only does a disservice to public discourse and undermines institutions that are crucial to national stability.
Those who claim that IGP Egbetokun is “illegal” fail to provide any legal argument or evidence to support their claims. Instead, they resort to political grandstanding, using provocative language to incite distrust and cast aspersions on one of the most critical security institutions in the country. This is both irresponsible and dangerous.
Beyond the legality of his appointment, it must be said that IGP Egbetokun has brought a breath of fresh air to the Nigeria Police Force. His emphasis on intelligence-led policing, professionalism, human rights adherence, and welfare improvement has repositioned the Force to better respond to Nigeria’s dynamic security challenges.
Under his leadership, the Force has intensified crackdowns on violent crime, reinvigorated community policing efforts, and prioritised internal reforms that had long been neglected.
One wonders: why is it that these achievements are rarely acknowledged by critics like Mr. Sowore? Why is there always an eagerness to attack institutions without presenting viable alternatives or genuine reforms? If the goal is to strengthen democracy and security, then one must engage with the facts, not distort them.
The truth is, Nigeria’s democracy cannot thrive on lies, half-truths, or a perpetual state of agitation. Constructive criticism is welcome and necessary, but it must be grounded in truth and respect for constitutional processes.
The office of the Inspector-General of Police is not a political toy to be dragged into populist theatrics. It is a constitutional institution meant to safeguard law and order, not a scapegoat for political frustrations.
Nigeria deserves a higher standard of discourse. We can, and must do better.
Kehinde Adewole is a public affairs analyst based in Abuja. 08166240846. kennyadewole@gmail.com @kennyadewole
