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NDC demands immediate suspension of Lagos CP Tijani Fatai over his appearance at the inauguration of the pro-Tinubu City Boy Movement in Ikeja.
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Opposition says viral videos of the police commissioner at the political gathering raise serious concerns about the neutrality of the Nigeria Police Force ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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Party accuses the police chief of conduct capable of undermining public confidence in free, fair and credible elections, insisting his actions suggest possible bias in the discharge of his duties.
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NDC calls on the Police High Command to sanction the commissioner, reaffirm the Force’s political neutrality and guarantee equal protection for all political parties, candidates and voters irrespective of political affiliation, religion or ethnicity.
A political storm erupted on Tuesday after the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) demanded the immediate suspension of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, over his appearance at a pro-President Bola Tinubu political event, accusing him of compromising the neutrality of the Nigeria Police Force ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The opposition party said the police chief’s presence at the inauguration of the Lagos chapter of the City Boy Movement (a support group mobilising for President Tinubu’s re-election) amounted to partisan conduct incompatible with his constitutional duty to remain impartial. It urged the Police High Command to suspend and sanction the commissioner, warning that his actions could undermine public confidence in the credibility of the 2027 elections.
The controversy followed the inauguration of the City Boy Movement in Ikeja on Tuesday, where political leaders, traditional rulers, youth leaders and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) gathered to launch a grassroots mobilisation campaign for Tinubu’s second-term bid. Viral videos from the event showed Commissioner Fatai arriving at the venue and exchanging pleasantries with members of the group, triggering outrage from the opposition.
The City Boy Movement used the event to formally inaugurate its Lagos chapter and reaffirm its commitment to mobilising support for President Tinubu ahead of the next general elections.
However, what was intended to be a political mobilisation exercise quickly became the subject of national debate after videos of the Lagos police commissioner at the venue circulated widely on social media.
The footage showed Commissioner Fatai interacting with participants at the event, prompting questions over whether a serving Commissioner of Police should attend a gathering organised to advance the political interests of a presidential candidate.
The incident has since generated widespread reactions, with opposition figures and political observers arguing that security chiefs must not be seen identifying with any political party if public confidence in the electoral process is to be preserved.
NDC Alleges Partisanship, Demands Sanctions
In a statement posted on its official X account, the NDC condemned the commissioner’s appearance at the event, describing it as an unacceptable breach of the political neutrality expected of the Nigeria Police Force.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the appearance of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani, at a partisan event promoting a particular candidate in the upcoming general election”, the party noted.
According to the NDC, the conduct of the commissioner creates the impression that the police may not be impartial in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities during the 2027 elections.
“We understand that the rudderless APC-led administrations have no iota of respect for our institutions, but seeing a Commissioner of Police at a partisan event can only point to one thing: He will be biased in the discharge of his duties during the elections,” the statement added.
The party maintained that Nigerians must have confidence that security agencies will protect every candidate, political party and voter without prejudice. It argued that allowing such conduct to go unpunished could damage the credibility of the electoral process long before campaigns officially begin.
Beyond demanding his suspension, the NDC called on Commissioner Fatai to resign, insisting that his continued stay in office would further diminish public trust in the Nigeria Police Force.
The party also urged the Inspector-General of Police and the Police Service Commission to sanction the commissioner and reassure Nigerians that officers would remain politically neutral throughout the electoral process.
“We, therefore, demand that the police authorities immediately suspend and sanction the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani. We further demand that the Police authorities make a firm commitment to playing a neutral role in the upcoming election. That the Police authorities protect voters and supporters of other candidates who are not members of the ruling party. That the Police ensure the safety of the lives and property of all voters, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or party affiliation”, the party said.
The opposition party further declared that Commissioner Fatai should “tender his resignation immediately for denigrating the institution of the Police.”
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Lagos State Police Command nor the Force Headquarters had issued an official response to the allegations. It also remained unclear whether the commissioner attended the event in an official capacity as part of routine security monitoring or in a personal capacity.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
