Abuja: The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olatunji Disu, has pledged equal security treatment for all political party candidates and interest groups ahead of the 2027 general elections across the nation. Disu made the pledge on Wednesday in Abuja, while receiving a delegation from the Independent National Electoral Commission led by its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during a courtesy visit.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Inspector-General assured that no political party candidate or interest group would receive preferential treatment from the police. He emphasized that any officer found engaging in partisan conduct would face consequences. Disu also highlighted the necessity for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently release and widely disseminate the electoral timetable and all related activities, stressing the need for timely planning.
The public is eager for an early release of election schedules to enhance planning, including intelligence mapping, logistics coordination, personnel training, inter-agency collaboration, and identification of high-risk flashpoints nationwide, the I-G noted. He expressed that once INEC provides the schedule, necessary preparations such as training and strategic planning would be implemented promptly.
Disu advocated for strengthened inter-agency collaboration, highlighting that while the Nigeria Police Force is the lead agency, successful election security requires cooperation with other agencies. He called for periodic strategic coordination meetings among stakeholders at national, state, and local government levels, emphasizing real-time intelligence sharing, joint planning, harmonized communication strategies, and coordinated crisis response mechanisms.
Arrangements are ongoing to bring political parties together to sign peace and responsible conduct accords, aimed at ensuring orderly campaigns and reducing risks of violence, Disu stated. The initiative seeks to foster a peaceful election environment.
Earlier, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, mentioned the purpose of the visit was to inform the police of INEC’s preparations and to seek support for ensuring peaceful, transparent, and credible 2027 general elections. Amupitan highlighted the importance of collaboration between security agencies and electoral authorities, as elections are the cornerstone of democracy.
INEC has released its timetable, and political parties are currently conducting ward congresses and conventions, with plans to soon begin primaries to nominate candidates for elective positions. Amupitan acknowledged that Nigeria’s electoral system faces challenges such as malpractices, threats of violence, and vote trading, which undermine public confidence and pose risks to national security.