Abayomi Olamilekan
The Ogun State Police Command has commenced a two-day stakeholders’ workshop on election security as part of its preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The workshop, themed “Elections, Security, the Law, Stakeholders & the Media,” is being organised in collaboration with the Development Communication Research Centre (DCRC) and is taking place in Abeokuta.
The programme brings together representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties, legal practitioners, election observers, civil society organisations, the media and other stakeholders.
Declaring the workshop open on behalf of Governor Dapo Abiodun, the state’s Special Adviser on Security, retired AIG Olusola Subair, said the police have an important role to play in protecting the electoral process.
The governor urged police officers to remain professional, impartial and guided by the Constitution and relevant electoral laws in the discharge of their responsibilities ahead of the election.
He also cautioned security personnel against actions capable of contributing to electoral violence, stressing the importance of professionalism in ensuring a peaceful voting process.
The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Bode Ojajuni, said election security should not be treated as an assignment limited to election day.
He called for early preparation, effective intelligence sharing, inter-agency cooperation and respect for the fundamental rights of citizens throughout the electoral cycle.
Ojajuni also warned political parties, candidates and their supporters against violence, intimidation, thuggery and the mobilisation of criminal elements for political purposes.
According to the police commissioner, security agencies cannot independently guarantee peaceful elections without the cooperation of political actors, electoral officials, the media and citizens.
He said the command would work with relevant agencies, including INEC, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Armed Forces and other security bodies to identify potential threats and respond to security incidents.
The commissioner further urged journalists and media organisations to verify information before publication, particularly when reporting security incidents and allegations relating to electoral malpractice.
He said responsible and accurate reporting was important to preventing unnecessary tension during the electoral process.
The workshop also features sessions on the legal responsibilities of stakeholders, community engagement, election security, media relations and contemporary social media management.
Professor Fassy Yusuf delivered the lead paper on the relationship between elections, security, the law, stakeholders and the media, while Professor Bolu Folayan, the workshop’s executive consultant, emphasised the need for stakeholders to understand their respective responsibilities under the Constitution, Electoral Act and Police Act.
The Ogun Police Command said the training is intended to strengthen coordination among stakeholders and improve preparedness for the 2027 elections.
Ojajuni reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining peace and security while remaining professional, impartial and non-partisan in the discharge of its responsibilities.
