Tinubu warns police against allowing political interests to influence their duties as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, with the President calling for professionalism, impartiality and neutrality throughout the electoral process. The warning came as senior police officers gathered in Owerri, Imo State, for a conference focused on developing strategies for effective election security.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu gave the directive during the 2026 Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers, known as CARSPO 2026, although he was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume. The three-day conference, which began on September 21, is centred on developing a practical roadmap for managing security before, during and after the 2027 elections.
Tinubu said the police must not be viewed as an instrument of any political interest, stressing that the Force has a responsibility to serve Nigerians and protect the constitutional order. He also said every Nigerian should feel protected by the police regardless of political affiliation, ethnicity, religion, social status or geographical location.
The President linked police neutrality and professionalism to public confidence in the electoral process and the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy, while assuring the Force of continued government support for training, technology, operational logistics, welfare and institutional reforms.
Tinubu Warns Police as IGP Unveils Election Security Framework
The presidential warning came alongside a six-point election security framework unveiled by Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, who said the police must prepare for election-related threats well before polling day rather than waiting until violence occurs.
The framework covers intelligence and early-warning systems, training and preparedness, joint command and inter-agency coordination, communication and technology, community partnerships, and strict neutrality. The approach is designed to give police commands a clearer structure for identifying threats, coordinating responses and protecting people and electoral materials throughout the election period.
Disu directed commissioners of police across the country to identify potential electoral flashpoints, criminal networks and other emerging threats within their areas of responsibility, while also strengthening early-warning systems so that useful information from communities can reach the appropriate police formations quickly.
The IGP also said officers would receive training in areas including crowd management, conflict prevention, rapid response, protection of electoral personnel and materials, and human-rights-based policing. He added that women, elderly people and persons with disabilities would require adequate protection during the elections.
Technology is also expected to play a greater role in election security, particularly through real-time reporting and improved situational awareness, while cooperation between the police and other security agencies will be strengthened through clearer command and communication structures.
Police Warned Against Partisanship and Election Violence
Disu separately warned police officers against taking sides during the 2027 elections, saying personnel who collude with political actors or abuse their authority would face investigation and punishment.
The IGP also directed attention towards political actors and their supporters, warning against activities such as recruiting thugs, buying votes, moving arms and threatening voters or electoral officials. He said the police would act against offenders regardless of their political status and would work with relevant institutions to ensure that electoral offenders face prosecution.
Beyond physical security, the police leadership identified misinformation and inflammatory online content as potential triggers of electoral violence. Disu said the Force would work to monitor and respond to election-related disinformation while improving partnerships with traditional and religious leaders, youths, civil society groups, the media and communities.
The conference is expected to run until September 23 and brings together senior police officers, policing experts and other stakeholders to examine emerging electoral security challenges. Its discussions are intended to shape preparations for protecting voters, candidates, electoral officials, election materials and communities throughout the 2027 electoral cycle.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the police leadership has therefore placed greater emphasis on early intelligence, preparedness, coordination, technology, community engagement and neutrality as central parts of its election-security strategy. Tinubu’s warning also places responsibility on the Force to maintain public confidence by ensuring that its officers perform their duties without becoming involved in political contests.
