Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Police Force to fostering democratic success through cooperation with the electoral body for transparent elections. He also addressed and refuted allegations that members of the police force were complicit in vote rigging during elections. Represented by the Commissioner of Police for the Federal
Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Police Force to fostering democratic success through cooperation with the electoral body for transparent elections. He also addressed and refuted allegations that members of the police force were complicit in vote rigging during elections.
Represented by the Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory at the third National Democracy Stakeholders Summit in Abuja on Monday, it was emphasised that, despite the notion that the Force is responsible for vote rigging and election outcome manipulation, it consistently upholds its professional duties.
Mr Egbetokun stated that the police remain neutral during electoral exercises and do not influence vote counts. He emphasised that allegations that security agencies are manipulating election outcomes in Nigeria are unfounded. The police work with the electoral body and other stakeholders, a practice that will continue.
This addresses allegations that the country’s security agency assisted certain political parties in manipulating the outcomes of national and state off-cycle elections.
The 2023 general elections and the subsequent off-cycle elections were met with negative reactions from Nigerians and some local and international observers, whose reports indicated that the electioneering process in the country does not conform to the electoral law, thereby making the outcome non-transparent.
Some reports indicate that while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been a major focus of criticism, the police and other security agencies—key stakeholders in Nigeria’s election system—have also been identified as contributing to issues within the electoral process. These agencies have been implicated in allegations of irregularities.
As a result, there is a growing scepticism among Nigerians about election integrity in the country, leading to a trust deficit which has reduced majority participation in the process.
The Inspector General of Police addressed the matter, emphasising the police force’s role in maintaining order and securing the election process. He clarified that officers’ involvement during elections is strictly confined to ensuring peace and security, as the police force remains impartial and does not possess the authority to act as an election arbiter.
“The idea that the police are involved in rigging is pure imagination. We are impartial—we monitor the process while INEC handles the vote counts,” Egbetokun said.
The Inspector General stated that the police are enhancing professionalism by collaborating with civil society organisations involved in the election process.
“We have renewed inter-agency synergy, including with INEC, civil society organisations, and the media. “Our officers are undergoing continuous training to keep them aligned with democratic standards. I believe the results are becoming evident in off-cycle elections,” he said.
At the summit, Dr. Kletsaint Akor, Chairman of the Proponent Council of the Nigeria Democracy Stakeholders Group, emphasised that democracy in Nigeria is contingent upon electoral legitimacy.
Stressing that trust in the election process hinges on electoral legitimacy and reforms, Dr Akor further advocated for the financial autonomy of the electoral commission and the independence to choose its officials without the interference of politicians. “Elections are not endpoints; they are entry points,” he said.
“Without electoral legitimacy, governance becomes performative rather than productive. We must institutionalise reforms—granting INEC funding autonomy, ensuring transparent appointment of commissioners, and enforcing consequences for malpractice
The summit, convened to assess and strengthen the state of the country’s democracy, was also attended by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume. Represented by the Permanent Secretary for Economic and Political Affairs, he commended Tinubu’s administration for its reforms and commitment to transparency and accountability.
