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Two groups namely; Concerned Citizens For Justice and Rule of Law, and Afenifere Youth Coalition, have separately condemned the attacks by Omoyele Sowore on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, saying his court arraignment was in order.

The Afenifere Youth Coalition in a statement on Friday said it was apparently that “Sowore has built a career out of harassing, defaming, and undermining public officials, and it is time to set the record straight”.

The group recalled how in a recemt video that went viral on the social media, how Sowore self-indicted himself “where he was seen resisting and obstructing public officers doing their job, disobedience to lawful orders, cyberstalking, and portraying actions allegedly aimed at preventing arrest”.

It said “His attack on the IGP is not just a random act of provocation; it is part of his larger agenda to destabilize the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This is unacceptable, and as Yoruba youths committed to the peace and progress of our land, we refuse to sit idly by while such reckless behavior continues unchecked.

“It is undeniable that Sowore thrives on controversy, baseless activism, and political blackmail. His entire career revolves around inciting protests, misleading the public, and portraying himself as a hero of democracy while actually serving the interest of anyone readily available to pay his price.

“Moreover, he is nothing but a bitter loser who has failed repeatedly at the polls and now seeks relevance by attacking those in government. His inability to secure even a fraction of national support during his presidential run under the African Action Congress (AAC) exposed his lack of leadership capacity. Instead of engaging in constructive opposition, he has chosen the path of malicious falsehoods, cyberbullying, and outright defamation.

“Undoubtedly, his actions show that he is more interested in anarchy than governance. His threats to bring down President Tinubu’s government are not just reckless but also a clear indication of his anti-democratic tendencies.

“Sowore’s penchant for false accusations and digital harassment has finally caught up with him. The 16-count cybercrime charges filed against him are evident to his continued abuse of online platforms to spread lies and incite chaos.

“Nevertheless, instead of addressing these charges maturely, Sowore continues to play the victim while misleading his gullible supporters. It is worth noting that while IGP Kayode Egbetokun has shown maturity and respect for the rule of law by taking legal action against him, Sowore has chosen to manipulate public sentiment by playing the victim card, and making unrepentant noises on his social media handles.

“It is laughable that a man who constantly accuses others of tyranny now finds himself answering to the law for his own tyranny in the digital space. The law must take its full course, and we commend the IGP for choosing legal redress rather than resorting to intimidation or abuse of power.

“No individual, regardless of their self-acclaimed status, should be above the law. The court, despite its imperfections, remains the rightful place to settle disputes, and we believe that Sowore’s trial is in order. His continued defamation of respected public figures must be checked.

“Apparently, his pattern of behavior is one that thrives on falsehood and mischief, which he masks as activism. However, he needs to schooled out of his ignorance and be faced with the fact that, activism should be based on facts and sincerity, not personal vendettas and blackmail journalism.

“Indeed, the judiciary must ensure that justice is served and that this case sets a precedent that online defamation, cyberbullying, and targeted harassment will no longer be tolerated. The era where social media is used as a weapon of political sabotage must come to an end.

“Sowore has, over time, deceived and misled his followers into believing that he is fighting for the common man. However, a closer look at his activities reveals that he is nothing more than a hunger-driven activist, a false reporter, an anti-democracy campaigner, and an opportunistic agitator.

“Perhaps his supporters need to ask themselves a simple question: What tangible impact has Sowore made in improving Nigeria, apart from fueling chaos and propaganda? The answer is clear—none!

“Nonetheless, We still observed that his die-hard followers continue to run errands for him without realizing that he is only interested in his selfish agenda. It is important to note that Sowore has received millions of dollars from foreign donors, many of whom have anti-Nigeria motives. His so-called activism is merely a cover-up tool for sabotaging Nigeria’s progress and tarnishing its image internationally.

“To his followers, we say: Stop being pawns in Sowore’s game of deceit. Open your eyes and see him for who he truly is—a man whose only interest is his own pockets, and not the welfare of the Nigerian people.

“It is no longer news that Sowore’s Sahara Reporters has no journalistic integrity. The platform is notorious for publishing sensational, misleading, and politically motivated stories aimed at discrediting public officials and institutions.

“Apparently, his media house operates not as a credible news platform but as a blackmail factory where fake news is peddled in exchange for financial gains. We challenge Sowore to provide any evidence of his platform making constructive contributions to governance in Nigeria.

“Indeed, Sahara Reporters is a major contributor to the toxic political climate in Nigeria, as it continuously sponsors anti-government propaganda and falsehoods. Nigerians must stop falling for the deceit and propaganda churned out daily by this fraudulent man.

“For someone who claims to be an activist, Sowore has consistently demonstrated that he lacks the basic understanding of governance and politics. He neither comprehends the complexities of leadership nor appreciates the importance of inclusivity and national development.

“Moreover, his inability to secure even minimal votes during his presidential bid proves that he is not a politician and should not be taken seriously. He has failed to articulate any realistic policy ideas or strategies for governance. Instead, he focuses on inciting protests, creating division, and attacking leaders who are working for the progress of Nigeria.

“If Sowore truly cared about Nigeria, he would offer practical solutions rather than engaging in mindless agitation and slander. Clearly, he is an enemy of progress and should be treated as such.

“We commend the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for his patience, professionalism, and adherence to due process in handling Sowore’s defamation case. Unlike some who would resort to abuse of power and intimidation, the IGP chose the lawful route by seeking redress in court.

“Evidently, this demonstrates that the Nigerian Police Force under his leadership is law-abiding and committed to justice. This is the mark of true leadership, an act in resolving issues through the proper legal channels rather than brute force.

“Sowore and his supporters must learn from this; being loud and reckless does not equate to being right. The law is supreme, and everyone must respect it, including every so-called activists….”.

Also reacting on Friday, the Concerned Citizens For Justice and Rule of Law condemned what it described as “baseless and malicious attacks being launched against the IGP by Omoyele Sowore”, who it said was “a well-known agent of chaos and misinformation”.

The group said Sowore’s paymasters who are uncomfortable with the progress being made in crime reduction under the current administration have once again mobilized him to undermine the security apparatus of Nigeria.

“Nevertheless, let it be known that Nigeria is not a playground for anarchists, and the rule of law will always prevail over the antics of mischief-makers like Sowore.

“Undoubtedly, the IGP has brought a new era of professionalism and effectiveness to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). Unlike some who blow their own trumpets at the slightest achievement, IGP Egbetokun has quietly and meticulously implemented strategic reforms that have significantly curbed crime.

“Apparently, his leadership has witnessed a marked reduction in violent crimes, including kidnappings, armed robbery, and terrorism-related incidents. Furthermore, community policing initiatives which he broadly enacted have helped to strengthen trust between the police and citizens, ensuring better cooperation in intelligence gathering.

“Despite these laudable achievements, the IGP has chosen modesty over self-glorification. A rare trait which we see as the mark of a true leader; one who is fully driven by duty rather than personal acclaim.

“However, it is no surprise that Omoyele Sowore and his paymasters are displeased with the prospect of Nigeria successfully getting a grip on crime-fighting. His unwarranted attacks on the IGP are part of what we believe to be a well-orchestrated distraction campaign aimed at diverting attention from the tremendous progress being made in ensuring national security.

“Indeed, Sowore’s record speaks for itself. He is nothing but a professional protest organizer, an agent of destabilization, and a mouthpiece for those who wish to keep Nigeria in perpetual crisis. He has built his entire career on inciting anarchy, spreading falsehoods, and misleading the public through his biased online platform, Sahara Reporters, and other personal social media handles.

“Evidently, those who benefit from Nigeria’s insecurity see the IGP’s success as a threat to their agenda. Hence, they have unleashed their puppet, Sowore, to sow discord and create unnecessary distractions. But Nigerians are wiser now—we will not be swayed by the antics of a known rabble-rouser.

“Unlike those who abuse power and resort to intimidation, IGP Egbetokun has displayed an exceptional level of civility by choosing to address the nuisance of Sowore through legal means. Rather than using the might of the police force to silence him, the IGP chose to seek redress in the court of law, thereby reaffirming his commitment to justice and democratic principles.

“Undoubtedly, this come as a testament to his discipline, maturity, and respect for due process. A lesser man in his position would have succumbed to the temptation of using state power for retribution, but the IGP has proven that he is a leader who believes in the supremacy of the law over personal vendetta.

“Moreover, this should serve as a lesson to Sowore and his cohorts that Nigeria is not a jungle where lawlessness reigns. If one has grievances, the proper avenue is the judiciary, not cheap propaganda and media blackmail. It would be good at this time for Sowore’s blind supporters to open their ears to listen , and eyes to see him for who he truly is; a failed Nigerian politician, a hunger-driven activist, a serial false reporter, and an anti-democracy campaigner.

“Apparently, he has no real political structure, no ideological depth, and no moral compass. He has never governed a local government, let alone contributed meaningfully to governance. The only people he “rules” over are the few thousand online media followers he has deceived Into believing that he stands for justice.

“Indeed, a man who thrives on anarchy and thrives on propaganda cannot be called a politician or an activist. A true activist fights for genuine change, not for sponsorship from opposition figures who want to destabilize the government.

“Sowore’s main strategy is simple: manufacture controversy, push a misleading narrative, attract international sympathy, and use the chaos as a bargaining chip for foreign grants and political paychecks.

“Nevertheless, Nigerians must not fall for this charade. He is not fighting for the masses; he is fighting for himself. Omoyele Sowore’s attack on the IGP is nothing but a cheap distraction from the bigger goal of combating crime and ensuring the safety of Nigerian citizens. We urge the IGP not to lose focus and to continue his noble work in restoring law and order.

“Moreover, it is important to recognize that Sowore’s tactics are not accidental. They are part of a broader agenda to weaken Nigeria’s institutions and make it easier for his foreign sponsors to control our national narrative.

“The Nigeria Police Force under IGP Egbetokun has achieved remarkable feats in intelligence-driven policing, community engagement, and high-profile criminal arrests. It is no wonder that enemies of Nigeria’s progress have resorted to using Sowore as a diversionary tool.

“Perhaps Sowore should realize that his constant attacks on the credibility of Nigeria’s security agencies are not patriotic but treacherous. His actions serve the interests of foreign elements who do not want to see a stable Nigeria.

“Furthermore, his willingness to sell out the country for personal gain is evident in his desperate attempts to paint the IGP, and by extension, Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies in a bad light.

“Undoubtedly, the real goal is to undermine Nigeria’s corporate integrity and to weaken the institutions that protect national sovereignty. We call on all well-meaning Nigerians to reject this foreign-sponsored distraction and to support the IGP’s efforts in making Nigeria safer for all.

“It is laughable that a man who cannot win an election even in his local community continues to parade himself as a political force. Sowore is not a leader—he is a professional agitator whose only claim to relevance is the controversies he manufactures online.

“Apparently, this cycle has become so predictable that even his former allies now see him for what he truly is—a desperate man fighting for paychecks from opposition political figures who want to destabilize the Tinubu-led administration”.