With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, President Bola Tinubu has charged the Nigeria Police Force to ensure its role in the electoral process is guided by professionalism, impartiality and strict adherence to the rule of law.
The President gave the charge on Monday at the 2026 Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers, CARSPO, holding in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, President Tinubu warned senior police officers against allowing the Force to be used to advance political interests, stressing that the loyalty of the Police must remain with the Nigerian people and the Constitution, regardless of political affiliation.
For the host Governor, Hope Uzodinma, public trust must be at the centre of policing, particularly during elections. He charged senior officers to uphold professionalism and impartiality, insisting that Nigerians must be able to exercise their civic rights without intimidation or fear as the country approaches the 2027 polls.
At the operational level, the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, said the Force will approach election security as a full-cycle responsibility. According to him, this will involve early identification of electoral flashpoints, protection of personnel and sensitive materials, as well as rapid response to emerging threats.
The Nigeria Police Trust Fund also pledged greater support for the Force, with its Executive Secretary, Mohammed Sheidu, announcing interventions in training, equipment and mobility to strengthen operational effectiveness.
Representing Lenders Consult International Limited, Nelson Olafisoye conveyed the commendation of the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Shina Philips, to Governor Uzodinma for what he described as the state’s consistent prioritisation of security and its continued hosting of the conference.
Participants at the retreat, including AIG Training and Development, FHQ, Ifeanyi Uche; AIG Zone 2 Headquarters Lagos, Jimoh Moshood and CP Election Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Abayomi Shogunle, commended the organisers, describing the theme of the conference as timely and relevant to the security challenges surrounding the forthcoming elections.
With 2027 fast approaching, the message from Owerri was clear: election security cannot be left to chance. From political actors to security agencies and citizens, every stakeholder has a role to play in ensuring that the ballot is protected and Nigerians can exercise their democratic rights freely and peacefully.
