President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, in Owerri, charged the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to perfect operational plans that will guarantee a credible outcome in the 2023 general elections, while remaining apolitical, firm and loyal to democratic values.

Declaring open a three-day conference and retreat for senior police officers, the president directed the police to review current and evolving internal security threats as they may impact on peaceful and successful elections.

He said: ‘‘As I have often observed, elections are local, and it is only when votes count that the faith of citizens in the democratic process can be demonstrated, and government’s legitimacy assured.

“This can best be guaranteed through a well-policed election, as well as security operations that are impartial, firm and professional.

‘’This is why, on this occasion, I charge NPF to deliver to the nation during the 2023 general elections.

‘’I, therefore, task the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to sustain his leadership standards that will guarantee a level playing field, and secure public space for citizens to freely exercise their franchise, and for the outcome of elections to be a true reflection of peoples’ choices.’’

Assuring the force of his support and encouragement in the build-up to the 2023 polls, the president expressed delight that reforms undertaken under his watch are paying off with members of the force demonstrating high professional, ethical and operational standards, reflected in performances in internal security operations.

Citing the conduct of the police during recent off-season electoral outings in some states, Buhari said: ‘’My desire is to restore the primacy of the police towards rebuilding public trust and professionalism.

‘’My vision is also to bequeath, to the nation, a police force that is not only modernised but well-funded, suitably equipped and appropriately re-oriented to effectively police Nigeria’s democracy and guarantee a stable internal security order under a citizen-led, technology-driven, rule of law guided by intelligence-based policing models.”

‘’I am inspired that by our reform initiatives, we have laid a solid foundation towards the restoration of operational competence and professional efficiency of the police.

‘’I am also pleased to note that our police, in conformity to my democratic visions, and in the manifestation of the positive impact of these reforms, have, in recent times, been demonstrating high professional, ethical and operational standards as reflected in their performances in internal security operations, and during recent off-season electoral outings in Edo, Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states.’’

The president, therefore, commended the force leadership and officers, emphasising the need to replicate the same feat in the forthcoming elections.

He noted that it was only by so doing that ‘’the police can truly, be defined as not just true friends of citizens, but dependable and trustworthy partners in the drive to advance our democratic journey.’’

Buhari also used the occasion to restate his commitment to entrenching a process of free, fair, transparent and credible elections through which Nigerians could elect leaders of their choice.

He declared that his administration has prioritised critical reforms in NPF to reposition it to effectively fulfil its internal security and democratic governance mandates in conjunction with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other strategic agencies in the electoral process.