The Ogun State Police Command has commenced a two day stakeholders’ workshop aimed at strengthening security preparations for the 2027 general elections and promoting peaceful democratic participation across the state.
The workshop, titled “Elections, Security, the Law, Stakeholders & the Media,” opened on Tuesday at Event Towers, Ibara, Abeokuta, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni.
The programme was organised in collaboration with the Development Communication Research Centre Ltd. (DCRC) as part of efforts to begin early coordination among critical stakeholders ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.
The workshop was formally opened by the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Security, retired AIG Sola Subair.
The governor, in his message, stressed the collective responsibility of security agencies, electoral institutions, political parties, the media and other stakeholders in sustaining electoral peace and protecting the integrity of the democratic process.
Ojajuni said election security should not be treated as an election day responsibility, stressing the need for early planning, professional policing, intelligence sharing, political neutrality and respect for fundamental human rights.
He said the Ogun Command was prepared to deploy its personnel and resources professionally to ensure a safe and peaceful environment throughout the electoral process.
The workshop brought together representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Ogun State Security Network Agency, otherwise known as Amotekun Corps.
Also participating are 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.
Representing the operational structure of the Ogun Police Command are Deputy Commissioners of Police, Assistant Commissioners of Police, the 16 Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, Squadron Commanders and Tactical Commanders.
The Executive Consultant to the workshop, Prof. Bolu John Folayan, MNIPR, said stakeholders needed a clear understanding of their responsibilities under the 1999 Constitution, Electoral Act and Police Act to improve coordination and minimise avoidable conflicts during elections.
The technical sessions include a keynote presentation by Prof. Fassy Adetokunboh Yusuf, PhD, LLM, fnipr, focusing on the relationship between elections, security, the law, professional conduct and responsible communication.
The workshop will continue today, Wednesday, September 30, with sessions covering election security, stakeholder responsibilities, community engagement, media relations and contemporary social media management. The Ogun Police Command said it remained committed to proactive policing, stakeholder partnership and professional service delivery in building a peaceful electoral environment across the state.