Sowore Slams Illegal Tenure Extension For IGP, Customs, Immigration Chiefs
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised the continued stay in office of top security chiefs who, according to him, have surpassed the 35-year civil service limit.
In a statement on Sunday, Sowore described the development as a “slap at national integrity” and a violation of established service regulations.
“These officers in the Police, Customs, and Immigration have exceeded the 35-year service limit and should have retired, but due to tribal favouritism, they remain in office,” he said.
He accused the Federal Government of breaching civil service rules which mandate retirement after 35 years of service or upon attaining 60 years of age — whichever comes first.
The officials in question include the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap; and the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
Sowore said, “Their continued stay in service and office is a violation of service rules and a slap at national integrity. This is not governance, it’s ethnic capture.”
He warned that allowing such breaches sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the rule of law.
“For us, justice and institutional order are non-negotiable. You can’t build a functional democracy on the back of selective application of rules. Once you hit the 35-year mark, you retire. No one is above that,” he added.
At the time of filing this report, neither the presidency nor the affected agencies had issued a response.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
