2027: Abiodun Tasks Police on Professionalism, Impartiality

The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, on Tuesday urged the Nigeria Police to remain professional, impartial and fair in the discharge of their duties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Abiodun made the call in Abeokuta while declaring open a two-day workshop on election security, the law, stakeholders and the media, organised by the state police command in conjunction with the state government, the Development Communication Research Centre and others.

The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Security, AIG Olusola Subair (retd.), said the police had a significant role to play in preserving the country’s democracy and ensuring free, fair, credible and violence-free elections.

He therefore urged police officers to remain above board and discharge their responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution and electoral laws.

The workshop was attended by representatives of other security agencies, including the Army, Federal Road Safety Corps, Amotekun Corps, Vigilante, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and So-Safe Corps.

Abiodun said, “We all need to know that police are a very important component of democracy, and without security, there can be no democracy. That is why it behooves us to have a gathering like this so that we can encourage ourselves, so that we can train ourselves, so that we can teach ourselves what and what to do before, during, and after the elections.

“We need to equally know that elections are determined sometimes by the reports given by the police. And that is why the responsibility and the roles to be played by the police are very key in the electoral process. I want you to know that it is not just a jamboree that we are gathered here for us to eat and drink and then chat, but for us to be able to perform our roles and do it credibly well during the forthcoming elections.

“I want to encourage you that whatever you are going to learn here today, you should leverage on it to make the forthcoming election very peaceful, free and fair, and then acceptable to all. You are the face of the people. You are the face of Nigeria. Many things will depend on you. Many things will be determined by your conduct.

“So, we want you to be professional in the conduct of this election, in how you are going to manage and secure this particular election. Hence, it is very, very important for you to keep yourself abreast of the electoral laws. I am sure those are the things that will be enumerated to you today as we embark on this workshop.

“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. So please, ensure that you leverage on what you have here today to make the election in Ogun State a very peaceful, free, and fair one.”

The governor lauded the state police command and other partners for organising the workshop, saying the two-day training would further empower security agencies across the state to contribute to strengthening the country’s democracy.

In his welcome address, the State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, noted that election security was a shared responsibility, arguing that while security agencies had statutory responsibilities for maintaining public order, the success of those responsibilities depended on the conduct and cooperation of all stakeholders.

He urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to reject violence, intimidation, thuggery, destruction of property and attacks on electoral personnel or facilities.

“Political parties and their supporters must respect the law; election officials must discharge their responsibilities professionally and impartially. Observers and monitors must operate within the limits of their mandates and the media must provide accurate, balanced and responsible information.”

The Commissioner of Police also appealed to journalists to maintain the highest standards of accuracy, verification, balance and responsible reporting, particularly when reporting security incidents, allegations of electoral malpractice and other sensitive electoral matters.

Ojajuni reiterated the force’s commitment to providing a secure environment in which citizens could freely exercise their constitutional right to vote, adding that the police would remain professional, impartial and non-partisan.

“The Ogun State Police Command remains committed to maintaining peace and security across the state. We shall remain proactive in identifying threats, responsive to incidents and firm against criminality, while respecting the fundamental rights of citizens.

“We shall not allow criminal elements to exploit the electoral process to cause violence or undermine public safety,” Ojajuni asserted.

Delivering his paper, Prof Fassy Yusuf, Associate Professor of Media Law and Ethics at the University of Lagos, noted that the success of the 2027 general election in the state depended on how effectively the police led, coordinated and partnered with state agencies, electoral authorities and civil society organisations.

Yusuf argued that while the Independent National Electoral Commission was committed to conducting free, fair, credible and inclusive elections, security agencies must secure the electoral process with the people and not against them.

The Ijebu-Ode High Chief also said credible and legally sound 2027 general elections depended on maintaining harmony among security personnel, community leaders, legal frameworks, and media institutions.

He stated that “When law enforcement respects statutory limits, communities actively support security operations, the media reports objectively, and the judiciary upholds constitutional guarantees, the democratic process preserves its integrity.”