2027: Don’t hire thugs for elections, compete with ideas, IGP tells politicians
IGP Tunji Disu
Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, says the police will not condone politicians who hire thugs or engage in vote-buying during the 2027 elections.
Speaking at the sixth conference and retreat for senior police officers held in Owerri, the Imo state capital, on Monday, Disu said “impunity is the greatest encouragement of electoral crimes”.
The IGP urged politicians and their supporters to compete with ideas, not thugs.
He said the police would collaborate with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate vote-buying and inducement during the forthcoming general election.
Disu said anyone arrested over electoral crimes would be prosecuted irrespective of their status.
“To politicians and their supporters, my message is simple. Compete with ideas, not with thugs,” he said.
“Do not hire mobs, buy votes, move arms or threaten voters and electoral officials. The police will act against anyone who does that, whatever their status.
“Arrest is not enough; we will work with INEC, EFCC, and ICPC to investigate vote buying and inducement. We will also work with prosecutors so that those arrested will face trial, not just headlines.
“Impunity is the greatest encouragement of electoral crimes. To the people of Nigeria, go out, vote peacefully and report wrongdoing.”
The IGP also unveiled a six-pillar framework that would guide police activities during the election.
The framework includes strengthened intelligence and early-warning systems; intensive training and preparedness; joint command and inter-agency coordination; effective communication and deployment of technology; sustained community partnership; and absolute neutrality.
The opening ceremony of the conference was attended by Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo; George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF); representatives from other security agencies; and other government officials.
