Sowore described the step as a tactic by President Bola Tinubu to reward incompetent and long-serving civil servants who refuse to relinquish their positions after reaching retirement age.
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has described the extension of Kemi Nandap’s appointment as Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service as "intolerable."
Sowore described the step as a tactic by President Bola Tinubu to reward incompetent and long-serving civil servants who refuse to relinquish their positions after reaching retirement age.
In a post on his verified X account on Tuesday, Sowore condemned the practice, stating that it hinders the career progression of others within the civil service.
"This situation is intolerable! Under president Bola Tinubu’s governance, the practice of rewarding incompetent and long-serving civil servants who refuse to relinquish their positions after attaining retirement age has become obstinately prevalent, thereby obstructing the career progression of others who are either mandatorily retired or coerced out of their roles by these recalcitrant officials," Sowore said.
The former presidential candidate also criticised Nandap’s actions during the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests in August 2024, when she allegedly placed Tinubu’s opponents on a national watchlist.
"This Nigeria Immigration Service, Controller-General Kemi Nandap, who started placing Tinubu opponents on the national watchlist at airports and border posts across Nigeria during #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests in August 2024, just as Kayode Egbetokun as IGP of Nigeria Police Force was murdering protesters and charging minors for treason," Sowore added.
Sowore called for the removal of both Nandap and Kayode Egbetokun, stating, "EgbetokunMustGo #KemiNandapMustGo."
The extension of Nandap’s tenure until December 31, 2026, was confirmed by a statement from the president’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
President Tinubu had praised Nandap for her leadership in improving border management, immigration modernisation, and national security.
This situation is intolerable!
Under @officialabat Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s governance, the practice of rewarding incompetent and long-serving civil servants who refuse to relinquish their positions after attaining retirement age has become obstinately prevalent, thereby obstructing… pic.twitter.com/7FLOFVH2Qy
— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) April 1, 2025