2027: Atiku’s camp challenges IGP Disu to prove police neutrality

A spokesman for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has challenged the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, to demonstrate the Nigeria Police Force’s neutrality ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that assurances of a level playing field are insufficient without concrete evidence.

Ibe, in a statement issued on Thursday, said the IGP’s promise of impartial policing could not inspire confidence among Nigerians, particularly opposition parties, without visible action against individuals accused of politically motivated violence and intimidation.
He questioned the number of members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) arrested or prosecuted over alleged threats against opposition politicians and their supporters.
According to him, Nigerians deserve clear answers on the investigations and prosecutions arising from reported attacks on opposition members across the country.
Ibe specifically demanded explanations on complaints of political violence in Lagos, Osun, Edo, Cross River, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Rivers, Kebbi, Ekiti, Enugu, Ebonyi, Benue, Niger and Gombe states.
He urged the police leadership to disclose the number of complaints received, suspects questioned, arrests made and cases instituted, arguing that transparency would help Nigerians assess the commitment of the police to electoral neutrality.
The ADC spokesman maintained that a credible electoral environment must be established long before election day, stressing that opposition parties and their supporters should be able to organise meetings, hold rallies and mobilise voters without intimidation or fear of violence.
He warned that failure to respond decisively to threats against opposition figures could reinforce public suspicion that political connections determine the manner in which the police enforce the law.
Ibe further argued that the responsibility of ensuring impartial policing rested squarely on the IGP, adding that issuing directives to subordinate officers would not absolve the police chief of accountability for the conduct of the Force.
He insisted that the Nigeria Police Force must remain an institution serving the interests of all Nigerians rather than becoming an instrument for advancing the electoral ambitions of any political party.
“Until these assurances produce visible, impartial enforcement, asking the opposition to take them on trust is akin to waiting for Godot,” Ibe said.
The statement comes amid growing political activities and heightened scrutiny of the security agencies as political parties begin positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections.