2027: Don’t Let Politicians Use You for Violence, IGP Disu Tells Nigerian Youths

By Pan Afric Reporters

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has urged Nigerian youths to reject political thuggery, electoral violence and digital manipulation ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that young people often bear the lasting consequences of conflicts initiated by political actors.

Disu gave the charge while delivering an address at the National Youth Leadership and Security Dialogue organised by the Nigeria Police Force to commemorate International Youth Day 2026, themed “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.” The programme also featured the campaign, “My Future Is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery.”

The IGP said Nigeria’s diversity in ethnicity, religion, geography, culture and political affiliation should not obscure the shared aspirations of its young population, including the desire for security, quality education, decent livelihoods, dignity, justice and opportunities to fulfil their potential.

He cautioned youths against allowing politicians to exploit them for violent political activities, stressing that political actors could eventually reconcile after elections while victims of violence and their families would continue to bear the consequences.

“Politicians contest elections, but you live with the consequences of those elections. When the campaign is over, political actors may reconcile. But the young Nigerian who loses his or her life to electoral violence does not return home,” Disu said.

The IGP assured Nigerians that the Police would protect citizens’ constitutional rights to participate in political activities, support political parties and campaign for candidates, provided such activities remained peaceful and lawful.

He, however, warned that the Force would not tolerate violence, the recruitment or mobilisation of youths for political violence, possession of weapons for electoral purposes, attacks on political opponents, voter intimidation or destruction of property.

“We will protect citizens. We will facilitate peaceful campaigns. We will secure candidates, campaign venues and public spaces within the law. We will protect the integrity of the electoral environment,” Disu said, adding: “But let me be equally clear: We will not protect violence.”

Disu also appealed to political leaders across the political spectrum not to recruit, arm, finance or incite young Nigerians to fight their political battles, arguing that Nigeria could not build a secure and prosperous future by destroying the generation expected to inherit it.

Turning to the growing challenge of digital thuggery, the police chief warned that political violence could now begin on smartphones through misinformation, disinformation, hate speech, cyberbullying, impersonation, deepfakes and coordinated online attacks.

He urged young Nigerians to exercise responsibility in their use of social media, advising them to verify information before sharing it and establish facts before publishing allegations against others.

“Before you forward a message, verify it. Before you publish an allegation, establish the facts. Before you attack someone online, remember that there is a human being behind the screen,” Disu said.

He encouraged youths to use their influence positively by challenging injustice, mobilising communities, creating businesses, developing technology and contributing to public policy, rather than surrendering their influence to those seeking to manipulate them for destructive purposes.

The IGP said the police initiative was not merely intended to tell youths what not to do but to establish a partnership through which young Nigerians could contribute to safer communities, violence prevention, responsible digital citizenship, cybercrime prevention and peaceful democratic participation.

He further stressed that security was a shared responsibility requiring collaboration among the Police, government, civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, the private sector and other stakeholders.

Disu charged Nigerian youths to reject recruitment into violence, refuse to carry weapons for political interests, avoid spreading hate and misinformation, and participate actively and lawfully in the democratic process.

“Your future is not yours alone. Your future is Nigeria’s future,” the IGP declared, urging the younger generation to choose peace, innovation, education, entrepreneurship, creativity and responsible citizenship over political violence.

He expressed hope that history would remember the present generation as one that refused to be used for violence and instead chose to protect democracy and build a safer, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.