Tinubu warns police against political bias ahead of 2027 elections By Jide Olusola President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged the Nigeria Police Force to maintain strict political neutrality and the highest standards of professionalism ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that the Force must not be perceived as serving any political interest. Tinubu gave the charge at the 2026 Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers in Owerri, Imo State, in an address delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume. The President said every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation, ethnicity, religion, social status or geographical location, must feel protected by the police, stressing that the Force’s neutrality would be critical to public confidence in the electoral process. “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”, the President said. Speaking on the theme, “Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections”, Tinubu said the 2027 elections would require careful preparation, intelligence-led operations, professionalism, impartiality and effective coordination among security and electoral stakeholders. He said securing elections goes beyond protecting polling stations and ballot materials, noting that the police must also protect citizens and electoral officials, ensure peaceful campaigns, prevent violence and intimidation, and guarantee that Nigerians can participate without fear. Tinubu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to police reforms, saying sustained investment in personnel, training, technology, intelligence infrastructure, operational logistics, welfare and institutional systems remained necessary. He urged the Force to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve response times, deepen community engagement, embrace technology and enhance inter-agency cooperation in confronting increasingly sophisticated security threats. The President commended Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and the Police Management Team for efforts to reposition the Force and tackle emerging security challenges. He also acknowledged officers confronting kidnapping, terrorism, banditry, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes, including those who had paid the ultimate price. Tinubu urged senior officers to use the retreat to develop a practical roadmap for election security and operational preparedness, while building a modern, professional, technology-enabled, intelligence-driven and citizen-centred police force beyond 2027. He said Federal Government support for the police must be matched by courage, integrity, discipline and professionalism in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.
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