The Ogun State Police Command has charged political actors, professional institutions and citizens to play their respective roles in ensuring peaceful, free and credible elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajunu, gave the charge while speaking at a workshop on election security, the law, stakeholders and the media.
Ojajunu stressed that credible elections require responsible political actors, professional institutions, informed citizens, credible electoral processes and a responsible media.
He said all stakeholders must actively play their part in sustaining democratic principles, particularly in the process of electing leaders at all levels.
The Commissioner assured that the police would continue to collaborate with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and other relevant agencies to ensure coordinated planning and effective management of emerging security threats.
Ojajunu also commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for his strategic leadership and continued support for professional, proactive and people-oriented policing across the country.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Security to the Ogun State Governor and former Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Olusola Kamar Subair, commended the State Police Command for organising the workshop and praised the participating security agencies for their involvement.
Subair urged security personnel to remain professional and credible in the discharge of their responsibilities during the elections, stressing the need for a peaceful, free, fair and acceptable electoral process.
He also called on security personnel across the state to work together and take meaningful steps ahead of the elections, noting that security remains fundamental to the sustenance of democracy.
The guest speaker, Professor Fassy A. O. Yusuf, identified legitimacy, representation, accountability, peaceful transfer of power and policy choice as some of the core objectives of elections in a democracy.
Yusuf emphasised the importance of security and highlighted the respective roles of INEC, the media, security agencies and citizens in ensuring peaceful, free and fair elections.
He recommended the establishment of a joint inter-agency command under INEC supervision, clear definition of the roles and responsibilities of sub-national security outfits, protection of media freedom and equal media coverage.
Yusuf also called for specialised human rights training for security personnel ahead of the 2027 general elections.
