Inspector General Denies Police Involvement in Election Rigging

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has firmly denied allegations that the Nigeria Police Force was involved in rigging during recent elections. Speaking during a media briefing, the IGP stated that the police maintained neutrality and professionalism throughout the electoral process and dismissed claims of institutional bias or misconduct.

Egbetokun emphasized that the police had no role in manipulating election results or assisting any political party during the conduct of national or state-level elections. He reiterated that the primary responsibility of the police during elections is to ensure security and maintain public order, not to interfere with the electoral process itself.

“The Nigeria Police Force was not involved in any form of election rigging. We were there to provide security and ensure that law and order were maintained. Any claims suggesting otherwise are completely false,” the IGP said.

His comments come amid growing public concern and allegations from opposition parties and civil society groups, who have accused some security operatives of siding with ruling party candidates during the 2023 general elections and some recent off-cycle elections. These accusations have raised questions about the credibility of law enforcement agencies and the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.

However, the police chief insisted that officers deployed for election duties acted within the law and in line with their professional mandate. He acknowledged that while individual officers may have acted improperly in isolated incidents, these cases were being investigated and would be dealt with appropriately.

“We have a duty to the nation to protect democracy, and we take that responsibility very seriously. Where there are cases of misconduct by our officers, we are taking disciplinary measures,” he added.

Egbetokun also called on Nigerians to avoid generalizing the actions of a few individuals to the entire police force. He urged citizens to support efforts to build a more accountable and professional police institution, stating that collaboration between the public and law enforcement is essential for the country’s progress.

In response to questions about police presence at collation centres and polling units during elections, the IGP explained that deployments were made to deter violence and ensure peaceful conduct. He maintained that there was no evidence to support claims that police officers directly influenced voting outcomes.

The IGP’s statement comes as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) faces ongoing scrutiny over the conduct and transparency of past elections. While the commission has admitted to logistical and technical challenges, it has also denied any coordination with security agencies to rig election outcomes.

In the wake of the controversial results from some states in the 2023 elections, many observers, both domestic and international, called for electoral and security sector reforms. These include recommendations for better training of security personnel, stricter enforcement of electoral laws, and increased independence of oversight bodies.

Despite the controversies, the IGP reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police to uphold the Constitution and serve all citizens equally. He said steps are being taken to strengthen election security protocols and ensure that officers deployed for future elections are adequately trained and monitored.

As Nigeria looks ahead to upcoming elections, including the 2027 general polls, the role of security agencies will remain a critical issue. Egbetokun assured the public that under his leadership, the police will continue to improve transparency, enforce the law impartially, and support democratic values.

He concluded by warning political actors against dragging the police into partisan disputes. “We are not politicians. We are law enforcement officers. Our loyalty is to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.