The Nigerian Police Force, led by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, showed up at the inauguration of the Seyi Tinubu-led City Boys Movement in Lagos. Not as security. As GUESTS.
Let that sink in.
A pro-Tinubu re-election campaign group is holding a political rally, and the same police that tear-gas protesters, arrest critics at 2am, and “disperse unlawful gatherings” are seated in the front row, clapping.
This is not about providing order. This is about endorsement. This is state power openly cosplaying as a party structure.
And then we’re told the opposition is “divided” and “cannot” take power from these “ruthless state captors.”
Ruthless, yes. But captured by whom? When the Commissioner of Police attends a partisan event as a guest, it sends one message to every Nigerian: the force is not neutral. It belongs.
What happens next election cycle? Will opposition rallies get the same police protection? Will permit denials continue to be justified as “security concerns” while ruling party events get full police honors?
Democracy cannot survive when the referee wears one team’s jersey.
Mr. Commissioner, your job is to protect lives and property, not to legitimize campaigns.
To the “divided opposition”: division is a problem. But this photo is the bigger one.
Because you are not just fighting politicians. You are fighting an entire state machinery that has decided which side it is on.
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bcradle@ymail.com
