The Ogun State Police Command has commenced early security planning for the 2027 general elections with a two-day stakeholders’ workshop aimed at strengthening coordination among security agencies, electoral bodies, political parties, the media and other relevant groups.
The workshop, themed “Elections, Security, the Law, Stakeholders & the Media,” began on Tuesday at Event Towers, Ibara, Abeokuta, and was organised in collaboration with the Development Communication Research Centre Ltd (DCRC).
The event was formally opened by Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, represented by his Special Adviser on Security, retired AIG Sola Subair.
The Governor, in his message, emphasised the shared responsibility of stakeholders in maintaining electoral peace and safeguarding the democratic process.
The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, said preparations for election security should begin well before election day, stressing the importance of professionalism, political neutrality, intelligence sharing, respect for fundamental rights and sustained engagement among stakeholders.
He assured that the Command would deploy its personnel and resources professionally to provide a secure environment throughout the electoral process.
The workshop brought together representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties, legal and human rights institutions, professional bodies, media organisations, community groups and civil society organisations.
Among those represented were the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Amotekun Corps, So-Safe Corps, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC).
The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Security, AIG Olusola Subair (rted), said the workshop was necessary to equip officers with knowledge of what to do before, during and after elections, noting that election outcomes are sometimes determined by police reports.
“We all need to know that police is a very important component of democracy, and without security, there can be no democracy. That is why the responsibility and the roles to be played by the police is very key in electoral process,” he added.
Abiodun cautioned officers against actions that could trigger violence, urging them to leverage the training to ensure peaceful polls in Ogun State.
“We want you to be professional in the conduct of this election, in how you are going to manage and secure this particular election. I want to equally enjoin you that you do not make yourself a catalyst for violence during this election, when you do your work professionally, then people will commend you,” Abiodun stated.
The governor also commended the collaboration among security agencies in the state, which he said has contributed to the peace being experienced, and urged them to remain visible and do what is needful during the elections.
Professor Bolu John Folayan, the workshop’s Executive Consultant, urged participants to develop a clear understanding of their responsibilities under the 1999 Constitution, Electoral Act and Police Act to improve coordination and minimise conflicts during elections.
Technical sessions at the workshop include a keynote presentation by Professor Fassy Adetokunboh Yusuf on the relationship between elections, security, law, professional conduct and responsible communication.
The workshop will continue on Wednesday, September 30, with discussions covering election security, stakeholder responsibilities, community engagement, media relations and social media management.
The Police Command said the initiative forms part of its efforts to promote proactive policing, stronger stakeholder partnerships and a peaceful electoral environment in Ogun State.
