2027 ELECTIONS: OGUN POLICE, STAKEHOLDERS MOVE TO STRENGTHEN SECURITY, PEACEFUL POLLS

2027 ELECTIONS: OGUN POLICE, STAKEHOLDERS MOVE TO STRENGTHEN SECURITY, PEACEFUL POLLS

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Ogun State Police Command, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, is set to organise a two-day security workshop aimed at strengthening inter-agency cooperation and ensuring peaceful, credible and hitch-free elections in the state.

The workshop, scheduled for September 22 and 23, 2026, will have as its theme, “Elections, Community Mobilisation, the Law and the Media,” with discussions focusing on contemporary social media management techniques, fundraising and other emerging issues affecting the electoral process.

A statement issued by the Executive Consultant to the workshop, Dr. Bolu John Folayan, said the initiative was designed to deepen stakeholders’ understanding of their respective roles and responsibilities before, during and after elections.

According to the statement, the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, is expected to declare the workshop open and deliver a keynote address, while a veteran lawyer and public relations expert, Professor Fassy Adetokunboh Yusuf, will deliver the lead paper.

About 520 participants drawn from key security, electoral, media, community and political institutions are expected at the workshop.

Those expected to participate include Divisional Police Officers, Zonal and Area Commanders, representatives of Police Community Relations Committees, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Amotekun Corps, So-Safe Corps, Vigilante Corps, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Customs Service, members of the Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), selected political editors from mainstream media organisations and representatives of major political parties.

Dr. Folayan said the training would place emphasis on inter-agency respect, cooperation and coordination, community engagement, professional conduct and accountability among stakeholders.

He added that the workshop would seek to strengthen collaboration between security agencies, the media, political actors and communities in order to prevent conflicts and other security challenges that could undermine the electoral process.

One of the key deliverables of the training, he said, would be the development of a “Responsive and Responsible Professionalism Charter,” which would provide a framework for responsible conduct and cooperation among stakeholders.

Dr. Folayan noted that the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act and the Police Act confer specific responsibilities on various stakeholders involved in the electoral process.

He observed that inadequate understanding of these complementary roles often creates avoidable misunderstandings, operational challenges and, in some cases, situations capable of threatening law and order.

He therefore called for greater understanding of the legal framework governing elections, improved inter-agency coordination and stronger media and community relations.

“With improved knowledge of the law, inter-agency cooperation, media engagement and community relations, successful elections are much more achievable,” he said.

Dr. Folayan explained that while the Constitution guarantees the rights of citizens and other stakeholders, the Electoral Act provides the rules governing elections, while the Police Act outlines the professional responsibilities and conduct expected of police personnel.

He said the workshop would ultimately provide stakeholders with a common platform to understand their respective responsibilities, strengthen partnerships and develop a coordinated approach to maintaining peace, security and public confidence before, during and after the 2027 general elections.