Kano CP Warns Police 2027 Partisanship: Uphold Neutrality

• Kano Police Commissioner Ibrahim Bakori directed operational commanders to maintain neutrality and professionalism ahead of the 2027 general elections.
• The directive, issued during a strategic lecture, warned against partisan political activities and compromising electoral integrity, threatening strict disciplinary action for violations.
• Commanders were also charged with upholding human rights and the rule of law, fostering community partnerships, and employing intelligence-led policing.
• The Nigeria Police Force is committed to providing security throughout the 2027 electoral cycle, urging political actors to comply with the Electoral Act and residents to provide credible information.
• This directive follows the Kano Police Command's successful coordination of security for a recent by-election, which was reported as peaceful.

Any officer found engaging in partisan politics or compromising the integrity of the electoral process will face strict disciplinary action.

Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, has issued a definitive directive to all operational commanders, emphasizing the critical need for neutrality, professionalism, and an apolitical stance in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections. This significant instruction, delivered on Monday, aims to ensure that law enforcement agencies uphold the integrity of the electoral process from its inception.

The directive was a central component of a strategic lecture on election security management, convened at the Police Officers’ Mess in Bompai, Kano. The event brought together a wide array of senior police personnel, including Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and the Heads of Tactical and Operational Units. The primary objective of this gathering was to equip these senior officers with the necessary preparedness for their election security duties, particularly as political activities are anticipated to intensify significantly ahead of the 2027 polls. The details of this crucial meeting and the Commissioner's mandate were officially released in a statement later that Monday by the command’s spokesman, CSP Abdullahi Kiyawa.

Commissioner Bakori issued a stern warning against any actions that could compromise the integrity of the electoral process or involve officers in partisan political activities. He underscored the Nigeria Police Force's constitutional obligation to provide a level playing field for all political parties and actors, asserting that any officer found to be engaging in partisan politics or undermining electoral integrity would face severe disciplinary measures.

Beyond the imperative of neutrality, Bakori also charged his commanders with the responsibility of upholding human rights and the rule of law throughout the electioneering period. He stressed the importance of strengthening community partnerships and adopting intelligence-led policing strategies, highlighting that public trust is an indispensable element for effective policing and robust election security. Bakori explicitly stated, "Public trust is the cornerstone of effective policing. We must remain professional, respect human rights and the rule of law, and work selflessly to earn the confidence of the people."

The Kano Police Command affirmed its commitment to providing comprehensive security coverage before, during, and after the 2027 elections, aligning with a broader directive from the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu. This commitment underscores the force's dedication to ensuring a peaceful and credible electoral process across the state, with Bakori instructing commanders to sustain all necessary measures to achieve this objective.

In conjunction with these internal directives, the police urged political parties, candidates, and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and adhere strictly to the provisions of the Electoral Act. The command issued a clear warning that any actions capable of disrupting public peace would not be tolerated. Furthermore, residents were encouraged to actively support security agencies by providing credible information, recognizing their vital role in maintaining order and security during the election cycle.

This proactive directive from the Kano CP warns police 2027 partisanship and conduct, building upon recent experiences in election security management. The announcement follows the Kano Police Command's successful coordination of security arrangements for the recent Dawakin Kudu State Constituency by-election. In that instance, the command reported a peaceful conduct of the electoral exercise.

Following the by-election, the command had similarly urged all political actors to comply with electoral guidelines, demonstrating a consistent emphasis on adherence to established rules and peaceful participation. This prior experience serves as a practical backdrop, reinforcing the current directive's focus on maintaining law and order, ensuring Nigeria Police 2027 election neutrality, and promoting Electoral Act compliance Nigeria Police-wide, particularly in Kano.

This directive establishes a clear standard for police neutrality and adherence to the Electoral Act during the 2027 elections in Kano. Lawyers can leverage this to advise political clients on expected law enforcement conduct and to challenge any police actions that deviate from these explicit instructions regarding partisanship or human rights violations.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspaper.