President Bola Tinubu has warned the Nigeria Police Force against allowing itself to be used to advance political interests ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging officers to remain impartial, professional and committed to protecting the democratic process.
Tinubu gave the directive on Monday at the 2026 Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers, CARSPO 2026, in Owerri, Imo State.
The President, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said the police must be regarded as a national institution serving all Nigerians rather than any political interest.
He said neutrality and professionalism would be essential to building public confidence and ensuring the credibility of the 2027 elections.
“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,” Tinubu said.
The conference, which runs from September 21 to 23, is themed, “Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections.” The Nigeria Police Force had earlier said the retreat would focus on developing practical strategies for protecting voters, electoral officials, candidates, election materials and the general public during the 2027 polls.
Tinubu said the forthcoming elections would require careful preparation, intelligence-led policing, professionalism and effective coordination among security and electoral stakeholders.
He stressed that election security went beyond protecting polling stations and ballot materials, noting that it also involved protecting voters and electoral officials, ensuring peaceful campaigns, preventing violence and intimidation, and creating an environment where citizens could participate without fear.
The President assured the police of continued Federal Government support for reforms and improved operational capacity, including investment in personnel, training, technology, intelligence infrastructure, logistics, welfare and institutional systems.
He urged the Force to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve response times, deepen community engagement, embrace technology and enhance cooperation with other security agencies in tackling emerging security threats.
Tinubu commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and the Police Management Team for their efforts to reposition the Force, while acknowledging officers confronting kidnapping, terrorism, banditry, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes.
He also urged the police to build public confidence through discipline, accountability, professionalism and respect for the rights and dignity of citizens.
The President tasked senior officers attending the retreat with producing a practical and implementable roadmap for election security and operational preparedness ahead of 2027.
He said the roadmap should also contribute to building a modern, professional, technology-enabled, intelligence-driven and citizen-centred police force beyond the 2027 elections.
Tinubu assured officers and men of continued Federal Government support, but stressed that such support must be matched by courage, integrity, discipline and professionalism in the discharge of their constitutional duties.
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