GOMEP Warns Security Agencies Against Political Bias Ahead of Elections

As Nigeria moves closer to another crucial election season, GOMEP-NG President Akpovoke Otiti has warned security agencies against taking sides, urging them to protect every citizen without fear or favour.

ABUJA — The Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP-NG) has urged Nigeria’s security agencies to remain politically neutral and professional as political activities intensify ahead of future elections.

The National President of GOMEP-NG, Comrade Akpovoke Otiti, made the call during an engagement with stakeholders in Abuja, stressing that the primary duty of security personnel is to protect lives and property, not to advance the interests of any political party.

Otiti said security agencies must treat Nigerians equally, regardless of their political affiliation, ethnic background, occupation or social status.

He noted that the economic challenges confronting Nigerians affect everyone, including members of the security services.
“We all buy goods in the same markets at the same prices,” Otiti said.

According to him, no trader reduces the price of goods simply because the buyer is a police officer, soldier or member of another security agency.

He therefore called on personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Armed Forces and other security institutions to discharge their duties without political bias.

“Whether Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa or from any other ethnic group, every Nigerian faces the same economic challenges. Security personnel must therefore treat every citizen fairly and equally without giving preference to any political party,” he said.

The GOMEP-NG president maintained that security institutions belong to the Nigerian people and must remain above partisan politics, particularly as preparations for future elections gather momentum.

He warned that any perception of political bias by security agencies could undermine public confidence in the electoral process and democratic institutions.

Otiti’s position echoes a recent statement by National Chairman of the National Democratic Coalition (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, who stressed that Nigeria’s security institutions are not owned by any political party.

“There is no APC Police Force, no ruling party DSS, no ruling party Army. All institutions belong to the people of Nigeria,” Dickson said.

Otiti urged security personnel to remain faithful to their constitutional oath and protect all Nigerians without fear or favour.

He also called on the agencies to uphold professionalism, fairness and impartiality, stressing that their conduct would remain critical to the credibility and peaceful conduct of Nigeria’s future elections.