President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Nigeria Police Force to maintain political neutrality and uphold professionalism as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The President gave the charge on Monday 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.
Tinubu stressed that every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation, ethnicity, religion, social status or geographical location, must feel protected by the Police, describing the neutrality of the Force as fundamental to public confidence and the credibility of the nation’s democracy.
“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 to the conference theme, “Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections,” Tinubu said the 2027 polls would demand careful preparation, professionalism, impartiality, intelligence-led operations and close coordination among security and electoral stakeholders.
He assured that the Federal Government would provide the necessary support to enable the Force discharge its responsibilities effectively.
The President noted that securing the electoral process goes beyond protecting ballot papers and polling stations.
It also entails protecting citizens, electoral officials and materials, ensuring peaceful campaigns, preventing violence and intimidation, and guaranteeing that Nigerians can participate in the democratic process without fear.
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Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to ongoing police reforms, Tinubu said meaningful reform requires sustained investment in personnel, training, technology, intelligence infrastructure, operational logistics, welfare and institutional systems.
He urged the Force to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve response times, deepen community engagement, embrace technology and enhance inter-agency cooperation to confront increasingly sophisticated security threats.
The President commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and the Police Management Team for their efforts to reposition the Force and respond to emerging security challenges.
He also paid tribute to officers battling kidnapping, terrorism, banditry, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes across the country, including those who have paid the ultimate price.
He, however, reminded the Force that Nigerians’ security expectations remain high, urging officers to build public confidence through discipline, accountability, professionalism and respect for the rights and dignity of citizens.
Tinubu tasked the senior officers at the retreat to produce a practical and implementable roadmap that would strengthen election security, improve operational preparedness and deepen public confidence.
He said the roadmap should look beyond 2027 towards building a modern, professional, technology-enabled, intelligence-driven and citizen-centred Police Force.
The President assured officers and men of the Force that the Federal Government values their sacrifices and remains committed to supporting them, adding that such support must be matched by courage, integrity, discipline and professionalism in the discharge of their constitutional duties.
Crediblenewsng.com
