Odita Sunday 
2027: Ogun Police Begins Early Election Security Planning, Warns Against Violence
By Odita Sunday
The Ogun State Police Command has begun preparations for the 2027 general elections months ahead of the polls, warning political actors and other stakeholders against actions that could turn political competition into violence.
Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, gave the warning on Tuesday as the Command opened a two-day stakeholders’ workshop on election security, bringing security agencies, electoral officials, political parties, lawyers, journalists, civil society groups and community stakeholders together in Abeokuta.
Ojajuni said election security could not be treated as an election-day responsibility, stressing the need for early planning, intelligence sharing, professionalism, political neutrality and respect for citizens’ fundamental rights throughout the electoral process.
The workshop, titled “Elections, Security, the Law, Stakeholders & the Media,” is being organised by the Ogun State Police Command in collaboration with the Development Communication Research Centre Ltd (DCRC).
It was formally opened by the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun, CON, represented by his Special Adviser on Security, Rtd. AIG Sola Subair.
The governor stressed the shared responsibility of security agencies, electoral institutions, political parties, the media and other stakeholders in protecting electoral peace and safeguarding the democratic process. He also urged security personnel to remain professional and avoid actions capable of triggering violence during the elections.
Ojajuni said the police would remain proactive in identifying threats and providing a secure environment for citizens to exercise their right to vote, while maintaining professionalism and impartiality.
He also emphasised that election security was a shared responsibility, urging political parties and their supporters to respect the law, while calling on election officials, observers, the media and other stakeholders to operate within their respective mandates.
The workshop has drawn senior police commanders, including Deputy Commissioners of Police, Assistant Commissioners of Police, the 16 Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, Squadron Commanders and Tactical Commanders.
Also participating are 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, vigilante groups, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Nigeria Customs Service, 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, MNIPR, Executive Consultant to the workshop, said clearer understanding of the responsibilities assigned to different stakeholders under the Constitution, Electoral Act and Police Act would help prevent avoidable conflicts and improve coordination during elections.
The technical sessions include a keynote presentation by Professor Fassy Adetokunboh Yusuf, PhD, LLM, fnipr, focusing on the relationship between elections, security, the law, professional conduct and responsible communication.
The workshop continues on Wednesday, September 30, with sessions covering election security, stakeholder responsibilities, community engagement, media relations and contemporary social media management.
The Ogun Police Command said the exercise was part of its efforts to strengthen proactive policing and build closer cooperation among institutions involved in securing the electoral process.
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