RismadarVoice Reporters
September 21, 2026
President Bola Tinubu has urged the Nigeria Police Force to remain politically neutral and professional as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
Tinubu gave the charge at the 2026 Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers in Owerri, Imo State. The address was delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
The President said the police must serve Nigerians without discrimination based on political affiliation, ethnicity, religion, social status or geographical location, stressing that public confidence depends on the neutrality and professionalism of the Force.
He urged police officers to avoid being used to advance political interests, describing the Force as a national institution responsible for protecting citizens and upholding the constitutional order.
Speaking on the theme of the retreat, “Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections,” Tinubu said preparations for the 2027 elections should focus on professionalism, impartiality, intelligence-led operations and effective coordination among security and electoral agencies.
According to the President, election security goes beyond protecting polling units, ballot papers and other electoral materials. He said security agencies must also protect voters and electoral officials, prevent violence and intimidation, and create conditions that allow citizens to participate in the electoral process without fear.
Tinubu also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to police reform, saying sustained investment was needed in personnel development, training, technology, intelligence infrastructure, logistics, welfare and institutional systems.
He called on the police to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve response times, deepen engagement with communities, adopt technology and enhance cooperation with other security agencies to address emerging threats.
The President commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and the Police Management Team for their efforts to reposition the Force. He also acknowledged officers working to tackle kidnapping, terrorism, banditry, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes across the country.
He nevertheless urged the police to continue building public confidence through discipline, accountability, professionalism and respect for citizens’ rights and dignity.
Tinubu tasked senior police officers attending the retreat with developing a practical roadmap to strengthen election security and operational preparedness while improving public confidence in the Force.
He said the roadmap should also look beyond the 2027 elections towards building a modern, professional, technology-enabled and intelligence-driven police institution centred on citizens’ needs.
