Sowore Rejects Police Chief’s Peace Talks, Demands Better Welfare for Retired Officers
Abuja, Nigeria – Prominent activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has publicly declined an invitation from Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun for peace talks, instead demanding urgent improvements to welfare packages for both active and retired police officers.
A Firm Stand for Police Welfare
Speaking exclusively to Persecondnews at the Police Force Headquarters in Abuja on Monday, Sowore made his position clear: “We are not here for lectures. We came here to fight for concrete results, not for meet-and-greet sessions. Even if we don’t get results today, we won’t back down.”
The activist emphasized that his demands encompassed all police personnel: “We want police to be treated well—this includes not just retirees but also those currently in active service.”
Retired Officers Protest Meager Pensions
Sowore’s declaration coincided with protests by retired police officers at the National Assembly gates, where elderly former officers demonstrated against what they described as inadequate welfare packages.
One particularly striking case came from retired Deputy Superintendent of Police Musa, who revealed shocking details about his post-service compensation after 35 years of service:
“I joined the Police in April 1989, and when I retired, I received only ₦2 million as gratuity. My monthly pension is just ₦34,000—what can that amount possibly cover in today’s economy? It’s barely enough for me, let alone my family.”
Call for Pension Reform
The protest gained additional momentum when Isaac Fayose, brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, joined the calls for reform. Fayose proposed a radical increase in police pensions:
“The Federal Government must raise the monthly pension package for police officers to at least ₦1 million,” Fayose stated. “The current structure is completely unsustainable and unrealistic given Nigeria’s economic realities.”
Fayose echoed Sowore’s demands for urgent government action to address what protesters describe as the disgraceful treatment of officers who dedicated their lives to national service.
Growing Movement for Police Welfare
The coordinated actions by Sowore and the retired officers represent a growing movement highlighting systemic issues in Nigeria’s police welfare system. Activists argue that improving compensation packages would not only address current injustices but also boost morale within the force and potentially reduce corruption.
As the protests continue, all eyes remain on the Nigerian government’s response to these mounting demands for police pension reform. The situation underscores broader conversations about public sector compensation and retirement benefits in Africa’s most populous nation.
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