President Muhammadu Buhari has charged the Officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force to project a Force that will remain apolitical, firm, and loyal to the nation’s democratic values as the 2023 general election approaches.
The President asserted that the Police Force, in recently concluded elections, has been demonstrating high professional, ethical and operational standards as reflected in their performances in internal security operations, which conforms with his democratic visions.
While declaring open a three-day Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers in Owerri, Imo State, on Monday, the President reiterated his commitment to entrench a process of free, fair, transparent, and credible elections through which Nigerians elect leaders of their choice.
According to him, the retreat is timely and provides an opportunity to brainstorm ways to guarantee stable internal security in the countdown to the elections.
“It is only when the votes truly count that the faith of the citizens in the democratic process can be demonstrated and government legitimacy assured.
“This can best be guaranteed through a well-policed election and security operations that are impartial, firm, and professional. This is what, on this day and occasion, I charge the Nigeria Police Force to deliver to the nation during the 2023 general elections. I, therefore, task the Inspector General of Police to sustain his leadership standards that will guarantee a level playing field, and secure public space for the citizens to freely exercise their franchise, and for the outcome of the elections to be a true reflection of the peoples’ choices,” he intoned.
He further maintained that his administration has prioritised critical reforms in the Nigeria Police Force to reform it to effectively fulfill its internal security and democratic governance mandate.
“My desire is to restore the primacy of the Police towards rebuilding public trust and professionalism.
“My vision is also to bequeath to the nation a Police Force that is not only modernised, but well-funded, suitably equipped, and appropriately re-oriented to effectively police our democracy and guarantee a stable internal security order under a citizen-led, technology-driven, rule of law guided by intelligence-based policing models.
“I am inspired that by our reform initiatives, we have laid a solid foundation towards the restoration of the operational competence and professional efficiency of the Police,” the President added.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, noted that the outcome of the retreat will be critical to the peace and security of the nation’s democratic process as a detailed evaluation of all issues relating to the security dynamics of the 2023 General Elections would be addressed.
“We shall critically and professionally review the pattern and trend of crimes and undertake a detailed security risk assessment with a view to identifying specific trends that could threaten the security and peaceful conduct of the General Elections.
“I can assure Your Excellency that the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) has undertaken a comprehensive 2023 General Elections Threat Analysis which highlights and geolocated possible threats across all 774 Local Government Areas of the Federation. This Report will be utilized to guide our appreciation of the security space as we finetune our Election Security Action Plan.
“Mr. President, Sir, we do appreciate that the countdown to the upcoming general elections may present new sets of security trends which will undoubtedly further task our professionalism and operational competence. Encouraged by Your Excellency’s motivation and support, however, I can assure you that under my watch, the Nigeria Police will not disappoint Your Excellency neither will we fail the nation. We are fully committed to giving practical effect to the vision of Your Excellency in bequeathing to the nation a democratic legacy in which our electoral process truly reflects the wishes of the citizens,” he stated.
