2027 Polls: Disu Tells Politicians, ‘Compete With Ideas, Not Thugs’

Tuesday September 22, 2026

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, has warned politicians against recruiting thugs, buying votes, moving arms or intimidating voters and electoral officials ahead of the 2027 general elections.

IGP Disu gave the warning on Monday, September 21, 2026, at the opening of the sixth Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers, CARSPO 2026, in Owerri, Imo State.

The three-day conference, holding from September 21 to 23, is focused on developing a police roadmap for election security.

Disu urged political actors to compete through ideas and programmes, warning that the police would act against electoral offenders regardless of their status.

He said the Force would work with the Independent National Electoral Commission, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate vote-buying and electoral inducement.

The IGP said arrests would be followed by investigation and prosecution where evidence establishes a case, stressing that impunity encourages electoral crimes.

He urged Nigerians to vote peacefully and report violations to the authorities.

Disu also unveiled a six-pillar framework covering intelligence and early-warning systems, training and operational preparedness, inter-agency coordination, communication and technology, community engagement, and police neutrality.

He directed police commands to identify electoral flashpoints and criminal networks early, while warning officers against voter harassment, political collusion and abuse of power.

The strategy comes after the 2023 general elections, when police authorities said 203 suspected electoral offenders arrested in 20 states were facing trial.

In Lagos, police reported 45 arrests and the recovery of 2,870 Permanent Voter Cards, weapons, ballot boxes, a BVAS device and a Point-of-Sale machine allegedly linked to electoral offenses.

The opening ceremony was attended by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; representatives of security agencies and other government officials.

The conference is themed “Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections.”