Why The 2026 Budget Must Prioritise Police Funding For Credible 2027 Elections -By Adewole Kehinde

“Safety and security don’t just happen; they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear.” – Nelson Mandela.

As Nigeria looks ahead to the 2027 general election, one truth stands clear: credible elections are impossible without a well-prepared, professional, and adequately funded Nigeria Police Force. Democracy does not begin on election day; it is built in the months and years of preparation that precede it.

For this reason, the 2026 national budget must deliberately and strategically prioritise funding for the Nigeria Police, with a specific focus on election security, training, and operational readiness.

The year 2026 should not be treated as a routine budget cycle. It must be seen as a preparatory year for the most critical democratic exercise of the decade. Police personnel deployed for the 2027 general election must be trained, retrained, and equipped well in advance to withstand the complex challenges that accompany elections in Nigeria, ranging from political intimidation and misinformation to crowd control, electoral violence, and the protection of voters, electoral officials, and election materials.

Training is not a one-off event. It requires time, planning, simulations, and continuous assessment. Police officers must be equipped not only with operational skills but also with deep knowledge of electoral laws, rules of engagement, human rights standards, and non-partisan conduct. This level of preparedness cannot be achieved hurriedly in an election year; it must begin now, in 2026, and it must be properly funded.

However, budgetary allocation alone is not enough. Nigeria has often struggled with a gap between what is approved on paper and what is released in practice. Funds meant for security and capacity building are sometimes delayed, partially released, or trapped in bureaucratic bottlenecks.

For election preparedness, this would be disastrous. Funding for police training and operations must be made available on time, in full, and in a transparent manner. Anything less weakens the system and exposes the country to avoidable risks.

Beyond domestic funding, there is also a strong case for international collaboration. Foreign donor agencies such as UKAid, the European Union (EU), the African Union (AU), and other development partners have long supported democratic processes across Africa.

Their involvement in training Nigeria Police personnel on election security, professionalism, and best international practices will add immense value. Such partnerships can strengthen capacity, enhance credibility, and reinforce public confidence in the electoral process.

Equally important is early and structured collaboration between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force. Election-related crises often arise from poor coordination, late planning, or unclear roles. INEC must liaise with the police well ahead of 2027 to align logistics, deployment strategies, risk assessments, and communication channels. Early synergy will reduce confusion on election day and ensure swift, lawful responses to emerging challenges.

Ultimately, a credible, free, and crisis-free election is not accidental; it is the product of foresight, investment, and commitment. If Nigeria is serious about safeguarding its democracy in 2027, then training and retraining of police personnel, backed by adequate and timely funding, must begin in 2026 without delay. The time to act is now. Democracy cannot wait.

Adewole Kehinde is a public affairs analyst based in Abuja. 08166240846. @kennyadewole kennyadewole@gmail.com