2027 Polls: I-G Disu Pledges Peaceful, Legitimate Elections

The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Olatunji Disu, has assured Nigerians that the Nigeria Police Force and its sister security agencies have activated comprehensive operational and tactical assets to guarantee peaceful and credible 2027 general elections.

 

Disu gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja at a world press conference and stakeholders' meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He was represented by AIG Alinyenu Idu, who is in charge of the Police Mobile Force.

 

In the remarks delivered on his behalf, the I-G pledged that security personnel would exercise legitimate authority rather than force, so that voters could cast their ballots freely and without intimidation.

 

"Assurances are given here that we hope and believe the upcoming election in January and beyond will be an election that citizens will celebrate, with freedom attained through their democratic rights, ensuring that violence is tamed, citizens are free to come out, and the election has full legitimacy," Disu said.

 

The I-G said the force was drawing on an institutional memory spanning more than a century to uphold its role as a guardian of social harmony.

 

He said security forces were deploying targeted strategies to moderate election activities, curb potential violence and protect the democratic process at every stage.

 

"We have been able to regulate our actions to moderate election activities, starting from pre-election activities, where we try to activate both operational and tactical assets to review the social fabric of the nation and ensure that the opportunity to participate in electing their leaders does not turn into beds of violence," he said.

 

Turning to the security challenges facing parts of the country, Disu said clearance operations were under way to stabilise volatile areas, remove pockets of fear and restore public confidence before the polls.

 

"What the Police is doing currently is to stabilise the various arenas of development and citizens' activity.

 

"Clearance operations are currently ongoing around Kogi, Niger, Benue and Taraba to ensure that within time, we will be able to police the various crisis points and ensure there is social harmony for the election," he said.

 

The I-G said security arrangements would cover polling venues, sensitive and non-sensitive election materials, the movement of logistics, collation centres and the announcement of final results.

 

He added that special frameworks had been put in place to protect vulnerable groups, including women, throughout the electoral process.

 

According to Disu, the security agencies will conduct a comprehensive review of pre-election operations in November, followed by an end-of-year briefing to update the public on their readiness.

 

The Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr Yusuf Dantalle, called on the electoral umpire, security agencies and the media to maintain high standards of neutrality and professionalism in the 2027 general elections.

 

Dantalle commended the progress recorded in the Osun election, describing it as an encouraging precedent that Nigerians expect to see sustained in future national elections.

 

He assured that political parties would strictly abide by the guidelines, but stressed that electoral officers must be fair and non-partisan.

 

"This election is peculiar, but political parties will try as much as possible to ensure that we work within the rules, because Nigeria belongs to all of us. In every contest, a winner must emerge," he said.

 

The IPAC chairman warned both permanent and ad hoc staff of the commission against taking sides with any political party or candidate.

 

"We warn INEC officials not to take sides with any political party or candidate. Today you are in INEC, tomorrow you are out.

 

"We will give you all the support as political parties to ensure that INEC succeeds and Nigeria succeeds," Dantalle said.

 

Reminding security personnel in particular that the public was watching them, Dantalle urged the agencies to keep their constitutional oath and resist political pressure while on election duty.

 

"Today you are in uniform, tomorrow you won't be. We have seen former security officers contesting elections, which shows that some of you may join politics someday.

 

"You swore to protect the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 

"Please work for Nigeria. It is not easy; you could be under pressure, but work to ensure that the right thing is done.

 

"History will remember you for whatever role you play," he said.

 

The IPAC leader also urged journalists to verify information thoroughly before publishing it, to check the spread of unverified claims and misinformation.

 

"Most of your reporting should be investigated because there is so much information in the public space that is not true. Let us save this country. This election will come and go, but Nigeria will remain," he said.

 

He advised INEC's leadership to step up engagement with political parties in the run-up to the main elections.