Nigeria's Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, has issued a stern warning to politicians, political parties, and their supporters against engaging in vote buying, electoral violence, intimidation, and other acts that could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections. The warning was given at the 2026 Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers in Owerri, Imo State. Disu emphasized the need for greater professionalism, intelligence-led policing, and coordinated security operations to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process.
The conference was attended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume. The President reiterated the Federal Government's expectation that the police would maintain the highest standards of professionalism and impartiality in the discharge of their electoral responsibilities. He stressed that every Nigerian, regardless of their political affiliation, ethnicity, religion, social status, or geographical location, must feel protected by the police.
According to President Tinubu, the police must not be seen as an instrument of any political interest but as a national institution serving Nigerians and protecting the constitutional order. He noted that the 2027 elections would require careful preparation, professionalism, impartiality, intelligence-led operations, and close coordination among security and electoral stakeholders. The President emphasized that the security of the electoral process goes beyond protecting ballot papers and polling stations to safeguarding citizens, electoral officials, and materials.
President Tinubu also urged the police to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve response times, deepen community engagement, embrace technology, and enhance inter-agency cooperation. He noted that criminal networks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and policing methods must therefore remain adaptive and forward-looking. The President charged the senior police officers to use the conference to develop practical and implementable solutions that would strengthen election security, improve operational preparedness, and deepen public confidence.
IGP Disu reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force's commitment to protecting all citizens, irrespective of their political affiliations, and ensuring a peaceful and credible electoral process. He warned that the Force would not tolerate actions capable of threatening peaceful participation in the electoral process. The IGP's warning is seen as a move to prevent a repeat of past electoral malpractices and ensure that the 2027 elections are free, fair, and credible.
The conference and retreat provided a platform for senior police officers to discuss and develop strategies for election security, operational preparedness, and community engagement. The President's address emphasized the importance of a collaborative approach to election security, involving all stakeholders, including security agencies, electoral officials, and the general public. The President's expectations from the police are aimed at ensuring that the 2027 elections are conducted in a peaceful and credible manner.
The Nigeria Police Force is expected to play a critical role in ensuring the security and credibility of the 2027 general elections. With the warning against vote buying and electoral violence, the IGP and the President have set the tone for a peaceful and credible electoral process. The success of the 2027 elections will depend on the ability of the police and other stakeholders to work together to prevent electoral malpractices and ensure that the democratic rights of Nigerians are protected.
Key points
- The IGP warned against vote buying, electoral violence, intimidation, and other acts that could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
- President Tinubu emphasized the need for the police to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and impartiality in the discharge of their electoral responsibilities.
- The President urged the police to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve response times, deepen community engagement, and enhance inter-agency cooperation to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process.
