2027: Abiodun, Kano CP demand police neutrality, professionalism

As political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, have charged police officers to remain professional, neutral and non-partisan in the discharge of their duties.

While Abiodun urged officers to be fair and operate within the law to ensure peaceful, free and credible elections, Bakori warned that personnel who engage in partisan politics or compromise the integrity of the electoral process would face disciplinary action.

Abiodun, while declaring open the two-day workshop on election security, the law, stakeholders and the media, organised by the state police command, in conjunction with the state government, the Development Communication Research Centre, among others, said the significant roles of the police in preserving the country’s growing democracy could not be overemphasised,

The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Security, AIG Olusola Subair (retd.), reiterated the need for all the officers to be above board and discharge their responsibilities as enshrined in the Constitution.

The workshop had in attendance other security agencies such as the Army, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Amotekun Corps, the Vigilante, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the So-Safe Corps, among others.

Abiodun said, “We all need to know that police are a very important component of democracy, and without security, there can be no democracy.

“That is why it behoves us to have a gathering like this so that we can encourage ourselves, so that we can train ourselves, so that we can teach ourselves what to do before, during, and after the elections.

“We need to equally know that elections are determined sometimes by the reports given by the police. And that is why the responsibility and the roles to be played by the police are very key in the electoral process.

“I want you to know that it is not just a jamboree that we are gathered here for us to eat and drink and then chat, but for us to be able to perform our roles and do it creditably well during the forthcoming elections.”

He called for professionalism in the conduct of the election, the management and securing the election.

“Hence, it is very, very important for you to keep yourself abreast of the electoral laws. I am sure those are the things that will be enumerated to you today as we embark on this workshop.

“I want to equally enjoin you that you do not make yourself a catalyst for violence during this election. When you do your work professionally, then people will commend you.

“So please, ensure that you leverage what you have here today to make the election in Ogun State a very peaceful, free, and fair one,” he added.

The governor lauded the state police command and other partners for deeming it fit to organise the workshop, stressing that the training would further help to empower the security agencies across the state to contribute their quota towards strengthening the growth of the country’s democracy.

The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, noted that election security is a shared responsibility, arguing that while security agencies have statutory responsibilities for maintaining public order, the success of those responsibilities depends on the conduct and cooperation of all stakeholders.

He urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to reject violence, intimidation, thuggery, destruction of property and attacks on electoral personnel or facilities.

“Political parties and their supporters must respect the law; election officials must discharge their responsibilities professionally and impartially.

“Observers and monitors must operate within the limits of their mandates and the media must provide accurate, balanced and responsible information,” he said.

Ojajuni reiterated the Force’s commitment to providing a secure environment in which citizens can freely exercise their constitutional right to vote, adding that they would remain professional, impartial and non-partisan.

“The Ogun State police command remains committed to maintaining peace and security across the state. We shall remain proactive in identifying threats, responsive to incidents and firm against criminality, while respecting the fundamental rights of citizens.

“We shall not allow criminal elements to exploit the electoral process to cause violence or undermine public safety,” Ojajuni asserted.

Delivering his paper, Associate Professor of Media Law and Ethics, University of Lagos, Prof Fassy Yusuf, noted that the success of the 2027 general election in the state was dependent on how effectively the police partnered with state agencies, electoral authorities and civil societies.

Prof Yusuf argued that while INEC was committed to conducting free, fair, credible and inclusive elections, security agencies must secure the electoral process with the people and not against them.

The Kano State Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Bakori, speaking on Monday at a strategic lecture organised for operational commanders on election security management, charged officers and men of the command to remain neutral, apolitical and non-partisan in the discharge of their duties, particularly during the ongoing electioneering campaigns.

In a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna, a copy of which was made available to The PUNCH on Tuesday, the commissioner emphasised that the Nigeria Police Force had a constitutional responsibility to ensure a level playing field for all political parties and actors, warning that any officer found engaging in partisan politics or compromising the integrity of the electoral process would face strict disciplinary action.

“The Nigeria Police Force has a constitutional responsibility to ensure a level playing field for all political parties and actors.

“Any officer found engaging in partisan politics or compromising the integrity of the electoral process will face strict disciplinary action,” the commissioner was quoted as saying.

He further charged the operational commanders to remain professional, respect human rights and the rule of law, operate with the fear of God, and work selflessly to earn public trust and confidence.

The police commissioner reminded the officers that public trust is the cornerstone of effective policing and urged them to strengthen community partnership and intelligence-led policing to ensure a peaceful, credible and hitch-free electoral process in the state.

He appreciated the officers for their dedication, resilience and unwavering commitment in crime prevention, management and control, which has significantly contributed to the relative peace and stability currently being enjoyed in the state.

The commissioner called on residents, political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and abide by the provisions of the Electoral Act, as any act capable of breaching public peace will not be condoned.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).