Controversy is mounting over recent promotion exercises within the Nigeria Police Force, following strong allegations of ethnic bias and secrecy under the leadership of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun.
Prominent activist and presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, took to his verified X (formerly Twitter) page to accuse the police chief of orchestrating what he described as a “scandalously skewed” promotion process that overwhelmingly favors Yoruba officers, while sidelining other regions.
According to Sowore, the IGP’s plan to publicly decorate only two officers—a Northerner, CSP Shaba Aliyu (Police Officer of the Year 2023, promoted to ACP), and a South-Easterner, SP Sentome Obi (Police Officer of the Year 2024, promoted to CSP)—is a calculated effort to create the appearance of ethnic balance, while concealing a broader and more questionable promotion list.
“The IGP’s press release is not transparency; it’s camouflage. This sleight of hand is intended to deflect public scrutiny and disguise a dangerous concentration of power in the hands of cronies and ethnic loyalists,” Sowore wrote.
He further alleged that many deserving officers—particularly female officers and those from other geopolitical zones—have been overlooked due to their unwillingness to engage in unethical practices or political loyalty.
“There are hundreds of hard-working policewomen in the Nigeria Police Force who have remained stuck without promotion, some for over 20 years, because they won’t play ball,” he said.
Sowore also pointed fingers at Muyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, accusing him of withholding the full list of promoted officers to conceal what he called “secret upgrades of loyalists” including Bukola Yemisi Kuti and Yemisi Ademosu.
The police have yet to respond officially to these claims. The Force Headquarters has neither released the full promotion list nor provided detailed criteria for the promotions that have sparked widespread concerns about transparency and fairness.
This latest controversy comes as many Nigerians continue to call for sweeping reforms in the country’s security institutions, particularly around meritocracy, inclusivity, and accountability.
Analysts say that without a public release of the complete promotion list and clear standards for career progression, the Police Force risks further erosion of public trust at a time when national unity and professionalism in law enforcement are paramount.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
