2027: Police to train stakeholders on security in Ogun

The Ogun State Police Command has scheduled a security stakeholders’ workshop ahead of the 2027 general elections to promote adequate participation and a credible electoral process.

The two-day workshop, themed ‘Elections, Community Mobilisation, The Law and The Media,’ will hold from September 22 to 23, 2026.

According to a statement signed by the workshop’s Executive Consultant, Dr Bolu Folayan, and made available to journalists on Tuesday, the training will focus on inter-agency respect, cooperation and coordination, community engagement before, during and after elections, as well as professional conduct and accountability by stakeholders.

The statement said Governor Dapo Abiodun is scheduled to declare the workshop open and deliver a keynote address, while a lawyer and public relations expert, Prof Fassy Yusuf, will present the lead paper.

Folayan said the 1999 Constitution, Electoral Act and Police Act empowered various stakeholders to perform different responsibilities during elections, adding that inadequate knowledge of these roles often led to glitches that affected the credibility of elections.

“With improved knowledge of stakeholders in the law, inter-agency cooperation, media and community relations, successful elections are much more achievable.

“While the Constitution gives rights, the Electoral Act gives the rules, and of course, the Police Act gives the conduct, and most stakeholders lack knowledge in these areas regarding elections.

“The Constitution sets the red lines. Security must protect these rights.

“Media must exercise them responsibly. No security operation should infringe on these without due process.

“That’s the way to have credible elections, and that’s the goal of this training,” Folayan said.

He said one of the key deliverables of the training would be the signing of the ‘Responsive and Responsible Professionalism Charter’ by all stakeholders attending the workshop.

About 520 stakeholders are expected to participate, including representatives of major political parties, Divisional Police Officers, Zonal and Area Commanders, representatives of Police Community Relations Committees, the State Independent Electoral Commission and the Directorate of State Security Service, among others.

The workshop is expected to provide stakeholders with a better understanding of their respective responsibilities and strengthen cooperation ahead of the 2027 elections.