By Abisola Oluremi
As part of activities marking the 2026 Police Week, the Oyo State Police Command underscored the critical role that credible elections play in fostering national development.
The programme, which brought together various stakeholders, also intensified efforts to educate the public on the importance of adhering to traffic regulations.
In his welcome address at the police headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Olugbenga Abimbola, expressed concern that many road crashes are directly linked to traffic rule violations.
On the issue of ensuring credible elections, CP Abimbola assured the public that officers of the command are fully prepared and will maintain the highest level of impartiality.
He added that anyone caught engaging in electoral violence would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
Also addressing the audience, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Mr Ekaneh Hussein, highlighted electoral violence and ballot snatching as key challenges that must be tackled decisively to ensure free and fair elections.
Mr Hussein urged political stakeholders and members of the public to cooperate with law enforcement agencies to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
Representing the Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Abdulramon Tella, the Administrative Secretary of INEC, Mrs Agnes Olutunminu, called on religious leaders to use their platforms to speak against the dangers of vote-buying and other electoral malpractices.
Echoing the call, Professor Tella emphasised that individuals involved in electoral violations must be treated as criminals, regardless of their social standing or influence.
Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle
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