From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, the police, political parties and other stakeholders in Kwara State, have called for peaceful campaigns, responsible use of social media and greater cooperation to prevent violence and insecurity.
The stakeholders made the call in Ilorin, during an operational inspection tour of the Kwara State Police Command, by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 8 Headquarters, Lokoja, Betty Enekpen Isokpan Otimenyin.
Otimenyin urged politicians and their supporters to avoid hate campaigns, provocative statements and actions capable of heightening political tension, stressing that political differences should not be allowed to degenerate into violence.
She also called on political parties and groups planning rallies, meetings and other public activities to notify the police early enough to enable the command to assess possible security implications and prevent clashes.
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“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.
According to her, organisers should not wait until the last minute or submit requests at odd hours before notifying the police of planned activities.
Otimenyin explained that early notification would enable the police to determine whether another political group had already booked a venue and, where necessary, advise the parties on alternative arrangements.
The AIG stressed that the cooperation of political actors, community leaders and residents would be critical to maintaining peace throughout the political season, assuring that the police remained committed to providing security for all stakeholders.
Speaking during the visit, the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, urged content creators, media practitioners and other members of the public to use their platforms to support the fight against terrorism, kidnapping and other criminal activities.
Ojo said credible information shared promptly could assist security agencies in identifying and apprehending criminals, urging content creators to see their influence as a tool for public safety.
He recalled a case in which a content creator obtained and circulated the photograph of a suspected criminal allegedly linked to killings in Niger State, saying the information assisted security operatives in tracking the suspect.
The CP also warned against politicising security issues, insisting that terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes should be treated as collective threats.
“We cannot put politics into security issues. All of us must join together and fight this evil,” he said.
He called for stronger collaboration among the police, sister security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders, government and the media, stressing that the responsibility for securing the state could not be left to the police alone.
Also speaking, the Kwara State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, assured that the ruling party was committed to peaceful political activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
Fagbemi, who described politicians and security agencies as members of one family, said it was in the interest of the state and all political actors to preserve peace.
The APC chairman warned politicians against actions capable of drawing young people and students into violence, saying political interests should not be pursued at the expense of the future of the younger generation.
“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.
He urged political parties to concentrate on selling their programmes and persuading voters rather than engaging in confrontation.
Other politicians and stakeholders at the engagement also called on security agencies to remain professional and neutral in the discharge of their duties, while urging all political actors to respect the rule of law and allow citizens to freely participate in the electoral process.
The inspection tour provided an opportunity for the Zone 8 leadership and the Kwara Command, to review operational readiness, security arrangements and strategies for maintaining peace as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
