Ogun Police Step Up Preparations for 2027 Elections, Assure Voters of Neutrality

The Ogun State Police Command has begun preparations for the 2027 general elections, assuring residents that it will maintain neutrality, provide adequate security and ensure strict compliance with the Electoral Act and the Constitution throughout the electoral process.

The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Olubode Bode Ojajuni, who is the 38th person to occupy the position, said the command was working in line with a comprehensive security framework developed by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to promote peaceful and credible elections nationwide.

In an interview with Hybrid News Editor, Hyacinth Nwafor, Ojajuni explained that the preparations included officer training, stakeholder engagement, intelligence gathering, resource mobilisation and operational planning. He said the measures were intended to identify and address potential security threats before, during and after the elections.

According to the commissioner, the command had organised a workshop for police officers and relevant stakeholders to clarify their responsibilities under the Electoral Act and the Constitution. He noted that the initiative was aimed at preventing confusion, overlapping duties and legal violations during election-related operations.

Ojajuni also disclosed that the command’s management team had visited the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ogun State to discuss security arrangements and other preparations for the 2027 polls.

He added that the Force Headquarters was monitoring the preparedness of state commands, with particular attention to logistics, operational readiness and threat assessment plans.

On concerns about police neutrality during the elections, the commissioner said officers were being trained to understand and uphold their statutory responsibilities. He maintained that a clear understanding of the law and defined operational duties would promote professionalism and prevent conduct capable of compromising the electoral process.

The police chief further stressed the importance of cooperation among security agencies, describing intelligence sharing and joint operations as critical components of efforts to maintain peace across Ogun State. He said the command continued to work closely with sister agencies to coordinate responses to security threats.

Speaking on the command’s relationship with residents, Ojajuni reaffirmed the police’s responsibility to protect lives and property, maintain public order and ensure that offenders were brought to justice.

He emphasised the need for proactive policing, explaining that officers were expected to identify and address potential threats before they resulted in crime or harm to members of the public.

Addressing operational challenges, the commissioner said the command continued to receive support from the Federal Government, the Force Headquarters and the Ogun State Government. He credited the assistance and cooperation of these institutions with supporting the command’s security operations.

Ojajuni reiterated the command’s commitment to maintaining peace and safeguarding lives and property throughout Ogun State. He expressed confidence that sustained planning, effective collaboration among security agencies and continued institutional support would strengthen security ahead of the 2027 general elections.