President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Nigeria Police Force to maintain professionalism and political impartiality in the build-up to the 2027 general elections, assuring the Force of stronger government support for training, welfare, technology and intelligence gathering.
Tinubu gave the directive on Monday in Owerri, Imo State, while declaring open the 2026 Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO 2026).
The President, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said protecting the integrity of the electoral process must remain central to police preparations for the 2027 polls.
The conference, themed “Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections,” brings together senior police officers and other stakeholders to develop strategies for securing the electoral process before, during and after the elections.
Tinubu said election security goes beyond protecting polling units, ballot papers and other electoral materials, stressing that voters, electoral officials, candidates and members of the public must also be protected.
He said the ultimate objective should be to create an environment where Nigerians can participate in elections without intimidation, violence or fear.
According to him, the scale of preparations for the 2027 elections requires “careful preparation, professionalism, impartiality, intelligence-led operations and close coordination among all security and electoral stakeholders.”
The President pledged continued Federal Government support for the police, particularly in the areas of personnel welfare, specialised training, technological advancement, intelligence infrastructure, operational logistics and institutional development.
He also charged the police leadership to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve response capabilities, deepen community engagement and enhance collaboration with other security and electoral institutions.
Tinubu commended Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and the leadership of the Force for their efforts in tackling kidnapping, armed robbery, terrorism, banditry, cultism and other criminal activities.
He acknowledged the sacrifices of police personnel, including officers who had lost their lives in the line of duty, while stressing the need for continued reforms to meet public expectations.
However, the President placed particular emphasis on the need for the police to remain politically neutral during the electoral process.
“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,” he said.
Tinubu urged the senior officers attending CARSPO 2026 to ensure that the outcome of their deliberations translated into practical measures capable of strengthening election security and operational readiness.
He said effective measures would also help build public confidence in the electoral process and the institutions responsible for securing it.
The President called for a modern, professional, technology-enabled, intelligence-driven and citizen-centred police service capable of responding effectively to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
He assured police personnel that the Federal Government recognised the demands associated with their duties and remained committed to supporting the Force.
Tinubu, however, charged officers to carry out their responsibilities with courage, integrity, discipline and professionalism.
