Election security: I-G pledges equal treatment for candidates, groups

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 Nigeria.

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.

“I want you to know that no political party candidate or interest group will receive preferential treatment from the police. Any officer found engaging in partisan conduct will face consequences.

“We implore you to as a matter of urgency do quick release and wide dissemination of the electoral timetable and all activities of INEC,” he added, stressing need for timely planning.

The I-G said the public were eager for 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.

“By the time you come up with your schedule, all this will be put in place quickly and we will be able to plan and commence our training.

“Although we have started skeletal training, I want to advocate for strengthened inter-agency collaboration. The Nigeria Police Force is the lead agency, but we cannot do it alone,” Disu said.

Disu called for periodic strategic coordination meetings among stakeholders at national, state and local government levels, emphasising real-time intelligence sharing, joint planning, harmonised communication strategies and coordinated crisis response mechanisms.

The I-G said arrangements were ongoing to bring political parties together to sign peace and responsible conduct accords, aimed at ensuring orderly campaigns and reducing risks of violence.

Earlier, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, said the visit was to intimate the police on preparations and seek support to ensure peaceful, transparent and credible 2027 general elections.

“I would like to formally inform you of our preparations and seek your invaluable support. Elections are the cornerstone of democracy and require effective collaboration between security agencies and electoral authorities,” he said.

Amupitan said INEC had released its timetable, adding that political parties were currently conducting ward congresses and conventions, and would soon begin primaries to nominate candidates for elective positions.

“In Nigeria, our electoral system has faced challenges including malpractices, threats of violence and vote trading, which undermine public confidence and pose risks to national security,” he said.

He warned that insecurity across parts of the country posed threats to credible elections, emphasising the need for thorough risk analysis, identification of flashpoints and deployment of strategies to safeguard voters and officials.