Political leaders, security agencies and other stakeholders in Kwara State have called for peaceful campaigns and credible conduct ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the police warning against hate speech, provocative activities and late-night political gatherings capable of triggering violence.
The calls were made on Friday in Ilorin during an operational inspection tour of the Kwara State Police Command by the Assistant Inspector-General (AIG)of Police, Zone 8 Headquarters, Lokoja, Betty Otimenyin.
Otimenyin urged political parties, their supporters and other stakeholders to avoid inflammatory rhetoric and actions that could heighten tension, stressing that political differences must not degenerate into quarrels or violence.
“We are going to agree on that and we are going to ensure that there’s going to be peace during this campaign. We will not quarrel with each other over campaign issues,” the AIG said.
She also advised political parties and groups planning rallies, meetings and other public activities to notify the police early enough to enable adequate security planning and prevent clashes.
According to her, organisers should not wait until the last minute or submit requests at odd hours, as early notification would enable the police to check competing engagements and advise parties on alternative venues where necessary.
“Police are not magicians. Don’t come in the middle of the night. Let them be in and drop your request against 7 a.m. activities,” she said.
The AIG explained that timely communication would allow the police to determine whether another group had already secured a venue and prevent situations in which rival political groups might converge at the same location.
“If another one has already booked that same venue and you are using the same venue, police will be able to advise that those consultations are not possible or you use Venue A, while the other one uses Venue B,” she added.
The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, on his part, called for greater cooperation between security agencies and the public, particularly content creators and other social media influencers, in the fight against terrorism, kidnapping and other crimes.
Ojo said credible information from members of the public had helped security agencies in their operations, urging content creators to deploy their platforms towards promoting public safety and exposing criminal activities.
“Some people are doing a very great job. Many content creators have given me information that has helped us,” he said.
The commissioner cited an instance in which a content creator obtained and circulated the photograph of a suspected criminal linked to killings in Niger State, saying the information assisted security operatives in tracking the suspect.
He urged others to emulate such initiatives and promptly share credible information with security agencies whenever they encounter evidence of criminal activities.
Ojo also warned against politicising security issues, stressing that terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes affect everyone irrespective of political affiliation.
“We cannot put politics into security issues. All of us must join together and fight this evil,” he said.
The APC chairman in Kwara State, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, assured the police of the ruling party’s commitment to peaceful political activities, saying violence would serve no useful purpose.
Fagbemi, who described politicians and security agencies as members of one family, said it was in the interest of the APC and the entire state to maintain peace before, during and after the 2027 elections.
“It is in our best interest as the ruling party to have peace. And that is what we are doing. We hope, no matter what it takes, we will continue to do this,” he said.
The party chairman cautioned politicians against involving youths and students in violent political activities, saying their future should not be sacrificed for political interests.
“We don’t want violence. We don’t know who it will affect. And as our children that are in the institutions, we want them to succeed. We will not be part of parties that will be involving them in any unfruitful assignments,” Fagbemi said.
The APC chairman further urged political actors to campaign on their programmes and convince voters rather than resort to confrontation, saying elections should provide citizens with competing ideas and credible choices.
“Whoever destiny brings to rule, whether it is people that we want to appeal to, let us tell them what we have in store for them. What we are going to do, that is what we require,” he said.
Other politicians and stakeholders who attended the engagement also called on security agencies to remain professional and neutral while providing adequate security for all political parties and ensuring that the 2027 electoral process is peaceful and credible.
The stakeholders stressed that the responsibility for peaceful elections should not be left to security agencies alone, urging political parties, candidates, traditional institutions, civil society groups, the media and the electorate to play their respective roles in preventing violence.
The inspection tour, according to the police, was aimed at assessing operational readiness, strengthening inter-agency coordination and reviewing security arrangements in Kwara ahead of emerging political and security challenges.
