Follow Us on Google
President Bola Tinubu has warned the Nigeria Police Force against being used to advance political interests ahead of the 2027 general elections, directing officers to maintain strict impartiality and professionalism in securing the electoral process.
Tinubu issued the warning on Monday at the 2026 Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers in Owerri, Imo State, where he said the police must be seen as a national institution serving all Nigerians rather than any political interest.
The President, represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said neutrality and professionalism would be critical to public confidence and the credibility of the 2027 elections.
“The police must be seen not as an instrument of any political interest, but as a national institution serving the Nigerian people and protecting the constitutional order. This is fundamental to public trust and to the credibility of our democracy,” he said.
With the conference themed, “Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections”, Tinubu said the 2027 polls would require careful preparation, intelligence-led operations, professionalism and close coordination among security and electoral stakeholders.
He said election security went beyond protecting polling stations and ballot materials, stressing that it also involved protecting voters and electoral officials, ensuring peaceful campaigns, preventing violence and intimidation, and enabling citizens to participate without fear.
The President assured the police of sustained government support for reforms and improved operational capacity, including investment in personnel, training, technology, intelligence infrastructure, logistics, welfare and institutional systems.
Other News
He tasked the Force with strengthening intelligence gathering, improving response times, deepening community engagement, embracing technology and enhancing inter-agency cooperation to tackle increasingly sophisticated security threats.
Tinubu commended Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and the Police Management Team for efforts to reposition the Force, while acknowledging officers confronting kidnapping, terrorism, banditry, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes across the country.
He also reminded the police that public expectations remained high, urging officers to build confidence through discipline, accountability, professionalism and respect for citizens’ rights and dignity.
The President tasked senior officers attending the retreat to produce a practical and implementable roadmap for election security and operational preparedness, while laying the foundation for a modern, professional, technology-enabled, intelligence-driven and citizen-centred police force beyond 2027.
He assured officers and men of continued Federal Government support, but stressed that such support must be matched by courage, integrity, discipline and professionalism in the discharge of their constitutional duties.
The President’s directive comes as preparations for the 2027 general elections intensify. In August, he also urged security agencies to protect voters and electoral officials and ensure that elections reflect the will of the people.
