Video of Lagos Police Commissioner at City Boy Movement event sparks debate over police neutrality
A viral video showing Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, attending an event organised by the City Boy Movement has triggered public debate and political criticism, with opposition groups and civil society voices questioning the neutrality of the police ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The footage circulating widely on social media shows the police commissioner arriving in uniform at the inauguration of the Lagos State Chapter Executive Committee of the City Boy Movement in Ikeja.
The City Boy Movement is a youth-focused political support group associated with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In the video, CP Fatai is seen arriving alongside security personnel, exchanging greetings with event organisers and interacting with attendees, some of whom were wearing branded caps and materials linked to the movement.
The event’s master of ceremonies publicly acknowledged the police commissioner’s presence, announcing his arrival and welcoming him and his entourage.
The appearance has since generated controversy, with critics arguing that the presence of a senior police officer at a politically aligned gathering could affect public confidence in the neutrality of the security institution.
Opposition groups and some legal commentators said police leadership must maintain visible distance from partisan activities, particularly as the country moves closer to another election cycle.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) condemned the commissioner’s appearance, describing it as a threat to the perception of police independence.
The party called for an investigation into the matter and demanded assurances from police authorities that officers would remain impartial in political matters.
“Seeing a Commissioner of Police at a partisan event can only point to one thing: he will be biased,” the opposition group said, while calling for disciplinary action and stronger guarantees of electoral neutrality.
However, supporters of CP Fatai argued that his attendance may have been connected to security oversight responsibilities, noting that police officials often attend major public gatherings to ensure law and order.
They maintained that his presence should not automatically be interpreted as political support.
Critics, however, insisted that senior law enforcement officials must consider the perception of their actions, especially when attending events linked to political movements.
As of Wednesday, the Lagos State Police Command and the Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Abuja had not released an official statement addressing the controversy or responding to calls for an investigation.
CP Tijani Fatai, who became Lagos State’s 42nd Commissioner of Police in March 2026, had previously pledged to prioritise professionalism, discipline, and adherence to the rule of law during his tenure.
The controversy comes as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, placing renewed attention on the role of security agencies in maintaining public trust and electoral fairness.