The Integrity Youth Alliance has called for increased public trust and collective support for the Nigeria Police Force as preparations for the 2027 General Elections gather momentum.
Speaking at a press conference titled “Building Trust, Enhancing Security: Supporting the Nigeria Police for Credible 2027 Elections”, the Deputy National Coordinator of the group, Stephen Okwor emphasised that trust in democratic policing remains crucial to the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections in Nigeria.
The Alliance noted that the Nigeria Police Force, as the lead domestic security agency, plays a central role in safeguarding the electoral process through the protection of voters, electoral officials, and materials, the enforcement of electoral laws, the prevention of violence, and the maintenance of peace before, during, and after elections. It emphasised that citizens’ confidence in the police is critical to voter participation and overall electoral integrity.
Commending the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force under the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, the group acknowledged ongoing reforms and strategic initiatives aimed at improving operational readiness, inter-agency collaboration, and community engagement ahead of future elections.
The Integrity Youth Alliance, however, stressed that election security should not be left to the police alone. It called for a collective approach involving citizens, political actors, civil society organisations, the media, and other stakeholders to address challenges such as misinformation, voter intimidation, politically motivated violence, and logistical constraints.
Among its key demands, the Alliance called for adequate funding and resourcing of the police for election duties, capacity building in crowd control and conflict de-escalation, improved welfare and insurance for officers deployed during elections, stronger collaboration between security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the full implementation of internal accountability mechanisms within the Force.
The group also reaffirmed its commitment to promoting electoral security through sustained advocacy, monitoring and reporting threats to the electoral process, youth engagement to discourage violence, and support for reforms that promote professionalism, human rights compliance, and community-oriented policing.
In a call to action, the Alliance urged Nigerians, political leaders, religious and community institutions, and youths to prioritise national stability over partisan interests. It also appealed to the Federal Government, the National Assembly, and development partners to provide the necessary support to enable the Nigeria Police Force to effectively carry out its constitutional mandate ahead of the 2027 polls.
The Integrity Youth Alliance concluded that credible elections depend on strong security and public trust, warning that Nigeria cannot afford a recurrence of election-related violence, loss of lives, or voter disenfranchisement. It reaffirmed its readiness to work with all stakeholders to ensure peaceful, transparent, and credible 2027 general elections.