The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, PSC(+), NPM, has reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to creating a secure environment for Nigerians to exercise their constitutional rights to political participation ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle. Speaking at the National Youth Leadership and Security Dialogue organized to commemorate International Youth Day 2026 under the theme “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” the IGP said the Force recognizes citizens’ rights to support parties, express opinions and campaign for candidates, provided such activities remain peaceful and lawful. He listed the Police mandate as protecting citizens in lawful political activities, facilitating peaceful campaigns, securing candidates and venues, protecting public spaces, and safeguarding the integrity of the electoral environment.
While pledging to protect democratic engagement, IGP Disu drew a clear line between politics and criminality. He stated that the Police will not shield violence or allow politics to be used as cover for crime. “The Force will not tolerate the recruitment or mobilisation of young Nigerians for political violence, possession or use of weapons for electoral purposes, attacks on political opponents, voter intimidation, destruction of property or any other criminal conduct disguised as political participation,” he warned. “The law will take its course against anyone who crosses that line.” The IGP stressed that the warning applies to all political parties and interests equally.
The IGP made a direct appeal to Nigerian youths not to be used as instruments of political violence, noting that while politicians contest elections, young people and their communities live with the consequences. “No political office is worth your life. No politician’s ambition is worth destroying your future,” he said, urging youths to participate actively but peacefully and responsibly. Disu added that peaceful elections require a Police-citizen partnership, and called on political actors, civil society, government institutions and other stakeholders to uphold the law. “The Nigeria Police Force will protect the democratic space. It will protect the right to peaceful political participation. But it will not protect violence disguised as politics,” he concluded.
