ABUJA: Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 general elections and a well-known activist, has taken to the streets of Abuja alongside other human rights advocates to lead a protest involving retired personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.
The demonstration, which took place earlier today, was organized by the Nigerian Union of Retired Police Officers.
The primary objective of the protest is to demand urgent reforms and better welfare packages for former police personnel, who claim they have been neglected under the current pension framework.
According to reports gathered, the protestors are specifically calling for the complete removal of retired police officers from the Contributory Pension Scheme. They argue that the current pension system is not only unjust but has also contributed to the untimely deaths of many of their members due to financial hardship and lack of adequate healthcare benefits.
The group began their peaceful protest by picketing the National Assembly complex and later proceeded to the Force Headquarters. Placards bearing messages such as Stop the Pension Injustice, Our Lives Matter Too, and Retired Not Expired were seen as the march progressed through major streets in the Federal Capital Territory.
The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) had earlier issued a statement warning against the protest.
The PCRC urged the retired officers and their supporters to return to the negotiation table rather than take to the streets, cautioning that such actions could undermine the integrity of the Nigeria Police Force and discredit the leadership of the Inspector General of Police as well as the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Despite the warnings, the protesters insisted that they had exhausted all formal channels and that peaceful demonstration was their last resort to bring national attention to their plight.
In Sowore’s address during the protest, he criticized the federal government and relevant security institutions for what he described as institutional neglect of those who once served the nation.
He emphasized that those who risked their lives to maintain law and order deserve dignity in retirement.
This protest is not just about pensions, Sowore said. It is about justice, fairness, and the value we place on human lives especially the lives of those who once put themselves in harm’s way for the rest of us.
The protest has sparked both public sympathy and political debate, with many Nigerians taking to social media to express their views. While some support the retirees’ demands, others are urging dialogue rather than confrontation.
As of press time, there has been no official response from the National Assembly or the office of the Inspector General of Police. However, sources suggest that the government may soon issue a statement addressing the demands of the protesting retirees.
As the situation continues to develop, Rapidospace News will provide timely updates as more information becomes available.
