Opposition condemns police commissioner’s presence at political gathering as questions mount over neutrality ahead of 2027 elections

A wave of reactions has followed the emergence of a viral video showing the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, attending a political event organised by the City Boy Movement in Ikeja.

The footage, widely shared across social media platforms, captures the police chief arriving at the venue alongside his entourage, exchanging greetings with attendees and moving through the crowd under visible security presence. In parts of the clip, CP Fatai—dressed in full uniform—is seen interacting with participants wearing caps branded with President Bola Tinubu’s campaign insignia and the initials “ST,” commonly linked to Seyi Tinubu.

The event was the inauguration of the Lagos State Executive Committee of the City Boy Movement, a youth-driven sociopolitical group aligned with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The group has positioned itself as a grassroots mobilisation platform, with a focus on youth engagement and support for candidates affiliated with the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections. Organisers at the event reportedly pledged to mobilise millions of votes across the South-West.

During the programme, the master of ceremonies formally acknowledged the police commissioner’s presence, welcoming “CP Tijani Fatai and his entourage” to the gathering.

However, the commissioner’s attendance has drawn sharp criticism, particularly from opposition voices. In a statement issued shortly after the video surfaced, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) described the development as troubling and accused the police boss of compromising the neutrality expected of his office.

The party argued that the presence of a serving commissioner of police at what it described as a partisan political event raises serious concerns about impartiality in the lead-up to the 2027 elections. It called for immediate disciplinary action, including the commissioner’s suspension, and demanded assurances from the Nigeria Police Force on its commitment to fairness and professionalism.

“The appearance of a senior police officer at a politically aligned event sends the wrong signal and undermines public confidence in the institution,” the statement said in part, while also calling for protection of voters across party lines.

The incident has also ignited debate online. While some Nigerians expressed concern over what they perceive as a breach of neutrality, others defended the commissioner, suggesting his presence may have been strictly for security oversight.

On X (formerly Twitter), several users questioned the appropriateness of the visit, with some suggesting that such appearances could erode trust in the police. Others, however, argued that high-profile public events often require the presence of top security officials to maintain order.

An APC chieftain, Bashir Ahmad, weighed in on the controversy, stating that the commissioner’s attendance should not automatically be interpreted as political alignment. According to him, the CP may have been present in an official capacity to ensure security at the gathering.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Lagos State Police Command nor the Force Headquarters has issued an official statement addressing the video or the concerns raised.

The development comes amid intensifying political activity nationwide, as parties, interest groups and support movements begin early mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.