Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has enlisted the assistance of the traditional institutions in the state to help ensure a violence free election, as the country enters another electoral season, insisting that “elections should never become an excuse for violence, hatred or division”
According to him, traditional institutions, given their reach and moral authority at the grassroots, have an important role to play in ensuring that the next electoral season does not undermine the peace and development recorded in the state.
Abiodun made the call on Tuesday while inaugurating the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, as the new Chairman of the Ogun State Council of Obas at the Obas’ Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
The Governor charged traditional rulers across the state to deploy their influence at the grassroots to mobilise their subjects for peaceful, responsible and informed participation in the 2027 general elections, saying: “Beyond security, I also called on our royal fathers to continue mobilising our people towards responsible civic participation, particularly as we enter another electoral season.
“Our people should be encouraged to recognise and support the development strides of the government and, when the time comes, translate their appreciation into their democratic choices at the polls.
“At the same time, you must remind your subjects that elections should never become an excuse for violence, hatred or division. We must continue to uphold the peace we have collectively nurtured and participate responsibly in programmes that advance our ‘Building Our Future Together’ agenda.”
The governor urged the monarchs to educate their subjects on the importance of civic participation and encourage them to shun violence, thuggery, hatred and other acts capable of threatening the peace and stability of the state before, during and after the elections.
He described the 2027 elections as an important democratic transition, stressing that the strength of democracy was measured not only by the votes cast but also by the peace, responsibility and sound judgment with which citizens exercised their franchise.
Abiodun said his administration had, over the past seven years, strengthened mechanisms to discourage hooliganism and political thuggery, noting that the recent primary election conducted by the ruling party in the state was peaceful and crisis-free.
He commended the traditional rulers for their continued support for the administration, describing them as strategic partners in maintaining peace, strengthening security and deepening grassroots development.
The governor particularly praised the monarchs for supporting security agencies through intelligence gathering and community mobilisation, noting that their knowledge of local communities remained indispensable to effective security operations.
He said government could provide technology and logistics, while security agencies could deploy personnel, but neither could substitute for the local intelligence and community knowledge available through traditional institutions and citizens.
Abiodun said the partnership had yielded positive results, particularly in the state’s recent security challenges.
He disclosed that security agencies had arrested all suspects linked to the recent abduction of students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, assuring residents that the government would continue to deny criminals any safe haven in the state.
He said: “I particularly commend you for the assistance extended to our security agencies during our recent security challenges. Information obtained through our communities and grassroots structures has enhanced security operations and demonstrated what can be achieved when government, traditional institutions, citizens and security agencies work together.
“I am therefore very pleased to inform our royal fathers that our security personnel have now arrested all the suspects linked to the recent abduction of students of the Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade.
“Our message is very clear: there will be no sanctuary for kidnappers, criminals, cultists or their collaborators anywhere in Ogun State.”
The governor also urged the traditional rulers to make their palaces centres of peace and conflict resolution by deploying their wisdom and moral authority to settle minor disputes before they escalate into wider community crises.
He noted that effective intervention by traditional rulers at the early stages of disputes could prevent avoidable conflicts and preserve peaceful coexistence within communities.
Abiodun explained that the distribution of 60 Sports Utility Vehicles to members of the State Council of Obas was part of the administration’s efforts to improve the mobility of traditional rulers and enable them to perform their responsibilities more effectively.
He charged the new Chairman of the Council, Oba Gbadebo, to build on the achievements of his predecessor by strengthening unity among traditional rulers and promoting initiatives that would contribute to the advancement of the state.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat, commended the traditional rulers for their contributions to peace, community development and the preservation of Ogun’s cultural heritage.
Hamzat described the monarchs as custodians of the state’s customs, traditions and cultural values, noting that their wisdom and leadership had continued to promote peaceful coexistence and strengthen the relationship between government and the people.
He urged the traditional rulers to continue to give due consideration to the resolutions and recommendations of the Council in the overall interest of the state.
The commissioner also commended Governor Abiodun for strengthening the partnership between government and the traditional institution, describing the collaboration as strategic to peace, grassroots development and good governance.
He urged the monarchs to reciprocate the gesture by sustaining their support for government programmes and policies aimed at advancing the socio-economic development of Ogun.
In his own remarks, the new Chairman of the State Council of Obas, Oba Gbadebo, commended Governor Abiodun for what he described as the administration’s developmental strides across the state.
The Alake said the administration’s interventions in infrastructure and other sectors had contributed significantly to Ogun’s continued emergence as a major industrial hub in Nigeria.
He also commended his predecessor, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, for his contributions to the welfare, unity and cohesion of traditional rulers during his two-year tenure.
Oba Gbadebo pledged to build on those achievements by fostering greater unity within the Council and supporting government programmes and policies that would improve the welfare and prosperity of the people.
The two-year tenure of Oba Olugbenle as Chairman of the Ogun State Council of Obas ended recently.
