By Julius Peter
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged the Nigeria Police Force to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, neutrality and impartiality in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
The President warned that the Police must not be perceived as an instrument of any political interest, stressing that the Force has a national responsibility to protect all Nigerians and safeguard the democratic process irrespective of political affiliation, ethnicity, religion, social status or geographical location.
President Tinubu gave the charge at the 2026 Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers held in Owerri, Imo State, where his address was delivered by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, CON.
The conference was organised around the theme: “Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections.”
The President said the neutrality and professionalism of the Police were critical to sustaining public confidence in the Force and strengthening the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
According to him, every Nigerian must be able to approach the Police with the confidence that the institution exists to protect lives, property and constitutional order rather than serve partisan interests.
“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.
He said the 2027 elections would require meticulous preparation, professionalism, impartiality, intelligence-led policing and effective coordination among the security agencies and electoral stakeholders.
President Tinubu further explained that election security went beyond the protection of ballot papers and polling stations, noting that it encompassed the protection of citizens, electoral officials and election materials throughout the electoral cycle.
He said security agencies must also ensure that political campaigns were conducted peacefully, while preventing violence, intimidation and other actions capable of undermining citizens’ participation in the democratic process.
The President assured the Nigeria Police Force that the Federal Government would continue to provide the necessary support to enable the institution effectively discharge its constitutional duties.
President Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ongoing reforms within the Nigeria Police Force, noting that sustainable reform would require continuous investment in personnel, training, technology, intelligence infrastructure, operational logistics, welfare and institutional systems.
He urged the Police leadership to strengthen intelligence gathering and analysis, improve response times, deepen community engagement and make greater use of technology in policing operations.
The President also stressed the need for enhanced inter-agency cooperation, particularly in view of the increasingly sophisticated nature of security threats confronting the country.
He said a modern Police Force must be capable of responding effectively to emerging threats while remaining firmly anchored on professionalism, accountability and respect for the rights and dignity of citizens.
President Tinubu commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and members of the Police Management Team for their efforts to reposition the Force and respond to emerging security challenges.
He also acknowledged the sacrifices of police officers operating across the country in the fight against kidnapping, terrorism, banditry, armed robbery, cultism and other forms of violent crime.
The President particularly recognised officers who had lost their lives in the line of duty, describing their sacrifices as part of the efforts to protect the nation and its citizens.
He, however, reminded the Police that Nigerians continued to have high expectations of the Force and urged officers to sustain efforts to build public confidence through discipline, accountability, professionalism and respect for citizens’ rights.
President Tinubu tasked participants at the retreat, particularly senior police officers, with developing a practical and implementable roadmap for effective election security.
He said the roadmap should strengthen operational preparedness, improve coordination among relevant institutions and enhance public confidence in the Police during the electoral process.
The President also urged the Force to look beyond the 2027 elections by developing strategies capable of laying the foundation for a modern, professional, technology-enabled, intelligence-driven and citizen-centred police institution.
He maintained that preparations for the 2027 elections must therefore be anchored on professionalism, intelligence, effective planning and respect for democratic principles.
President Tinubu assured officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force that the Federal Government recognised and valued their sacrifices and remained committed to supporting the institution’s reform and operational efforts.
He, however, stressed that government support must be matched by courage, integrity, discipline and professionalism in the discharge of police duties.
The President’s message comes as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 General Elections, placing renewed emphasis on the role of security agencies in creating an environment where citizens can freely exercise their constitutional rights without fear or intimidation.
The conference therefore provides an opportunity for senior police officers to assess existing security strategies, identify emerging challenges and develop practical measures for securing the electoral process while strengthening public trust in the Nigeria Police Force.
