By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
President Bola Tinubu has warned the Nigeria Police Force against serving any political interest ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The President gave the warning at the 2026 Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers in Owerri, Imo State, where his address was delivered by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
In a statement by the Special Adviser to the SGF on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, Tinubu charged officers to uphold professionalism and impartiality, stressing that every Nigerian, irrespective of political affiliation, ethnicity, religion, social status or geographical location, must feel protected by the police.
He said, “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.”
Speaking on the theme, “Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections,” the President said the 2027 polls would require careful preparation, intelligence-led operations and close coordination among security and electoral stakeholders.
He assured that the Federal Government would provide necessary support for the Force to discharge its responsibilities.
Tinubu noted that securing elections goes beyond protecting ballot papers and polling stations to include protecting citizens, electoral officials and materials, ensuring peaceful campaigns, preventing violence and intimidation, and guaranteeing participation without fear.
He reaffirmed commitment to ongoing police reforms, adding that meaningful reform requires sustained investment in personnel, training, technology, intelligence infrastructure, logistics, welfare and institutional systems.
The President urged the Force to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve response time, deepen community engagement, embrace technology and enhance inter-agency cooperation.
He commended the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and the management team for efforts to reposition the Force, and acknowledged sacrifices of officers confronting kidnapping, terrorism, banditry, armed robbery, cultism and other crimes, including those who paid the ultimate price.
He however reminded officers that public expectations remain high and urged them to build confidence through discipline, accountability and respect for citizens’ rights.
Tinubu tasked senior officers to produce a practical and implementable roadmap that would strengthen election security, improve operational preparedness and deepen public confidence, while building a modern, technology-enabled, intelligence-driven and citizen-centred police force beyond 2027.
He assured officers that the Federal Government values their sacrifices and remains committed to supporting them, adding that such support must be matched with courage, integrity, discipline and professionalism.
