The Ogun State Government has vowed to protect the peaceful political atmosphere in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections, assuring opposition parties and other political actors of the freedom to campaign, mobilise supporters and canvass for votes without intimidation.
The government also warned politicians and their supporters against actions capable of triggering violence, hate speech and political tension, insisting that the 2027 contest must not plunge the state into the kind of instability witnessed during the 2019 election period.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, stated this while featuring on a live radio programme in Abeokuta.
Akinmade said Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration had deliberately created an environment where opposition parties could operate and campaign freely, noting that posters, flyers and billboards belonging to different political groups were already visible across the state.
According to him, the government would not allow political competition to degenerate into violence, intimidation or a breakdown of law and order.
«“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.»
He disclosed that the government was working with security agencies, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders to maintain peace across the state’s 20 local government areas as political activities intensify ahead of 2027.
Akinmade urged political parties and their supporters to exercise their rights responsibly, warning that campaigns must be conducted within the confines of the law.
He also assured voters, candidates, journalists, electoral officials and other participants that the government would continue to support security agencies in protecting lives and property throughout the electoral process.
The governor’s aide challenged political parties to make the 2027 election a contest of ideas, programmes and performance rather than one driven by thuggery, hate speech, misinformation and personal attacks.
He further urged residents to reject vote-buying and other practices capable of compromising the credibility of the election, while calling on political actors to comply with the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Akinmade maintained that maintaining peace ahead of the election was a collective responsibility involving the media, political parties, security agencies, traditional institutions, civil society and the electorate.
He said the administration’s investments in infrastructure, education, security, agriculture and youth development had helped create a more stable environment for residents to participate in democratic activities.
However, while preaching political tolerance, Akinmade openly solicited support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Senator Olamilekan Adeola.
He assured that APC supporters would conduct their campaigns responsibly and within the law.
The Special Adviser said political contests were temporary, but the peace and development of Ogun State must 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.”»
