2027 Elections: Shun Partisanship, Tinubu Warns Police

President Bola Tinubu has charged the Nigeria Police Force to remain neutral, professional and impartial in the discharge of its responsibilities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The President gave the directive on Monday at the 2026 Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers held in Owerri, Imo State, where he warned against allowing the Force to be used in furtherance of political interests.

Tinubu’s address was delivered by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and quoted in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the SGF on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga.

The President stressed that every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation, ethnicity, religion, social status or geographical location, must feel protected by the police.

He said the neutrality and professionalism of the Force remained essential to public confidence and the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic 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,” Tinubu said.

Speaking on the theme of the conference, “Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections,” the President said the 2027 elections would require meticulous planning, intelligence-led operations, professionalism and close coordination among security agencies and electoral stakeholders.

He assured the police of the Federal Government’s continued support to enable the Force effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities.

According to him, securing the electoral process extends beyond protecting polling stations and electoral materials to safeguarding citizens and electoral officials, ensuring peaceful campaigns, preventing violence and intimidation, and creating an environment where Nigerians can participate in elections without fear.

Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to police reform, noting that sustainable transformation of the Force requires continuous investment in personnel development, training, technology, intelligence infrastructure, operational logistics, welfare and institutional systems.

He urged the police leadership to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve emergency response, deepen community engagement, embrace technological innovations and enhance inter-agency collaboration in confronting increasingly sophisticated security threats.

The President commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and the Police Management Team for their efforts to reposition the Force and address emerging security challenges.

He also acknowledged the sacrifices of police officers combating kidnapping, terrorism, banditry, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes across the country, including personnel who had lost their lives in the line of duty.

However, he reminded the Force that public expectations remained high, urging officers to build trust through discipline, accountability, professionalism and respect for the rights and dignity of citizens.

Tinubu tasked senior police officers attending the retreat with developing a practical and implementable roadmap to strengthen election security, improve operational preparedness and deepen public confidence in the Force.

He said the roadmap should extend beyond the 2027 elections and contribute to building a modern, professional, technology-enabled, intelligence-driven and citizen-centred police institution.

The President assured officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force that the Federal Government valued their sacrifices and remained committed to supporting them, but stressed that such support must be matched by courage, integrity, discipline and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.