President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, charged the Inspector General of Police and all Senior Police Officers to sustain a leadership standard and remain apolitical in order to secure public space for the Nigerians to freely exercise their civil responsibility for the outcome of the 2023 elections to be free and fair.
The President made the call while declaring open the three-day Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
At the conference, Buhari said the retreat will enable us to discuss issues relating to the role and capacity of the Nigeria Police, being the lead agency in the electoral and internal security process, towards ensuring a peaceful, secure, free, fair, and credible 2023 General Elections.
Buhari further said the event will also provide a unique opportunity to brainstorm on pathways to guaranteeing a stable internal security space in the countdown to the electoral transition exercise.
In his remarks, he stated that, ”As I have often observed, elections are local, and 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,” presidential aide Garba Shehu quoted the President as saying.
”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 people’s choices.”
Buhari said his administration will continue to support the police, citing several reforms introduced by his government to better the Force.
”My desire is to restore the primacy of the Police towards rebuilding public trust and professionalism,” the Nigerian leader added.
”My vision is also to bequeath to the nation a Police Force that is not only modernized, 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.”
As far as he is concerned, the initiatives are already yielding results as he cited the performances of the Police in recent off-season elections which he expects to be replicated next year.
”I am also pleased to note that our Police, in conformity to my democratic visions, and in the manifestation of the positive impact of these reforms, has in recent times been demonstrating high professional, ethical and operational standards as reflected in their performances in internal security operations and during the recent off-season electoral outings in Edo, Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun states.”
