The Ogun State Police Command has commenced early preparations for security ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, stressing the need for professionalism, neutrality and cooperation among all stakeholders.
Ojajuni made the call on Tuesday in Abeokuta during a two-day stakeholders’ workshop organised by the Police Command in collaboration with the Development Communication Research Centre Ltd. (DCRC).
The workshop, held at Event Towers, Ibara, Abeokuta, was themed “Elections, Security, the Law, Stakeholders & the Media.”
The Commissioner said election security should not be treated as an election-day responsibility, noting that adequate preparation, intelligence sharing, respect for fundamental rights and effective coordination among stakeholders were essential to maintaining peace throughout the electoral process.
He also warned political actors against allowing criminal elements to exploit the electoral process to cause violence, urging political parties, candidates and their supporters to respect the law and avoid intimidation, thuggery, destruction of property and attacks on electoral officials or facilities.
Ojajuni further assured that the Police Command would deploy its personnel and resources professionally to provide a safe and secure environment before, during and after the elections.
Declaring the workshop open, Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by his Special Adviser on Security, retired AIG Sola Subair, described security as a critical component of democracy and urged security personnel to remain professional and politically neutral in the discharge of their duties.
The governor cautioned officers against actions capable of triggering violence, urging them to apply the knowledge gained from the workshop to ensure peaceful elections in Ogun State.
“We all need to know that the police are a very important component of democracy. Without security, there can be no democracy,” Abiodun said.
The workshop attracted representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Amotekun Corps, So-Safe Corps, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), political parties, media organisations and civil society groups.
Professor Bolu John Folayan, Executive Consultant to the workshop, said stakeholders needed a clear understanding of their responsibilities under the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act and the Police Act to strengthen coordination and reduce avoidable conflicts during elections.
Professor Fassy Adetokunboh Yusuf, who delivered the keynote presentation, spoke on the relationship between elections, security, the law, professional conduct and responsible communication.
Yusuf also recommended stronger coordination among security agencies and other stakeholders, including the establishment of unified command protocols across Ogun State ahead of election day.
The workshop continues on Wednesday, September 30, with sessions focusing on election security, stakeholder responsibilities, community engagement, media relations and social media management.
The Police Command said the initiative forms part of its broader efforts to promote proactive policing, stronger stakeholder partnerships and a peaceful electoral environment across Ogun State.
