The Ogun State Government has assured political parties and their candidates of a peaceful environment ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying it would not allow a repeat of the tension and instability witnessed during the 2019 election period.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, gave the assurance while featuring on a live radio programme in Abeokuta, where he said the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun remained committed to ensuring that political activities across the state were conducted peacefully and in accordance with the law.
Akinmade said the government had deliberately created an atmosphere that allowed opposition parties to operate freely, noting that posters, flyers and billboards belonging to different political parties were already being displayed across the state after complying with established procedures.
He said the government would not tolerate political activities degenerating into violence, intimidation or a breakdown of law and order as the 2027 elections approach.
“Governor Abiodun has made it clear that what happened in 2019 must never happen again in Ogun State. Political competition should not translate into violence, intimidation or a breakdown of law and order,” he said.
According to him, the government is engaging security agencies, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders to ensure that campaigns and other political activities remain peaceful across the state’s 20 local government areas.
Akinmade warned political parties and their supporters against actions capable of heating up the polity, stressing that while political actors have the right to campaign and canvass for votes, such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the law.
He added that the government would continue to support security agencies in protecting lives and property, as well as ensuring that voters, candidates, journalists, electoral officials and other participants in the electoral process can perform their duties without fear.
The Special Adviser urged political parties to base their campaigns on issues, programmes and records of service rather than resorting to thuggery, hate speech, misinformation and personal attacks.
He also called on residents to reject vote-buying and other practices capable of undermining the credibility of elections, urging all stakeholders to adhere to the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Akinmade said maintaining peace during elections was a collective responsibility, urging the media, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, security agencies, political parties and the electorate to play their respective roles in safeguarding the peace of the state.
He said the administration’s investments in infrastructure, education, security, agriculture and youth development had contributed to creating a stable environment for residents to participate meaningfully in the democratic process.
While soliciting support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, Akinmade assured that party supporters would conduct their campaigns responsibly and within the law.
He stressed that political contests were temporary, but the peace and development of Ogun State would remain permanent.
“The election will come and go, but Ogun State will remain. No political ambition is worth compromising the peace and progress of our state.
“Our commitment is to sustain an environment where every party can campaign, every voter can make a choice and every citizen can participate in the democratic process without fear,” he said.
