A video showing the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, attending the inauguration of the City Boy Movement Lagos State Executive Committee has ignited political debate, with opposition figures questioning the neutrality of the Nigeria Police Force ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The footage, widely shared across social media, captures the police commissioner arriving at the event in Ikeja, greeting guests and moving through the venue alongside security personnel and dignitaries. Another clip shows him, dressed in full police uniform, interacting with attendees wearing caps branded with President Bola Tinubu’s campaign insignia and the initials “ST,” commonly linked to Seyi Tinubu, the President’s son.
During the event, the master of ceremonies publicly acknowledged the commissioner and his entourage, welcoming them before the audience. The gathering marked the inauguration of the Lagos chapter of the City Boy Movement, a youth-driven political support group aligned with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The organisation says it is focused on grassroots mobilisation, youth empowerment and backing APC candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
The group’s Lagos inauguration reportedly featured commitments to mobilise millions of votes across the South-West, further reinforcing its political objectives as preparations for the next general election gather momentum.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), an opposition party, swiftly criticised the commissioner’s appearance at the event. In a statement released on Tuesday, the party described his attendance as inappropriate and argued that it raised serious concerns about the police’s impartiality during future elections.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the appearance of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani, at a partisan event promoting a particular candidate in the upcoming general election,” the NDC said. The party further alleged that the commissioner’s presence suggested possible bias in carrying out his constitutional responsibilities and called on the Nigeria Police Force to suspend and sanction him. It also demanded assurances of neutrality during the 2027 elections and urged the commissioner to resign.
The incident has also divided opinion online. Several users on X questioned whether a serving commissioner of police should attend an event organised by a political movement associated with the ruling party. Some argued that such appearances could undermine public confidence in the neutrality of law enforcement during elections.
Others defended CP Tijani’s presence. APC chieftain Bashir Ahmad said the commissioner may have attended strictly for security purposes, noting that police officers often provide security at public gatherings. “Obviously, he was there to help provide security and order, not to join the movement,” Ahmad wrote in one of his posts.
As of Wednesday, neither the Lagos State Police Command nor the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters had issued an official statement addressing the viral video or the demands made by the NDC. The controversy comes as political parties, support groups and stakeholders intensify activities ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
