Political stakeholders in Kwara State have called for peaceful conduct, responsible campaigns and stronger cooperation with security agencies ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning against hate speech, provocative rhetoric, violence and activities capable of heightening tension.

The call was made on Friday in Ilorin during an operational inspection tour of the Kwara State Police Command by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 8 Headquarters, Lokoja, AIG Betty Enekpen Isokpan Otimenyin.

The AIG urged politicians, their supporters, community leaders and other stakeholders to ensure that political differences did not degenerate into confrontation, stressing that peaceful engagement remained essential to the success of the electoral process.

Otimenyin also advised political parties and groups planning rallies, meetings and other public activities to notify the police early enough to enable the command assess possible security implications and prevent clashes.

“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,” she said.

She cautioned organisers against making requests at odd hours, stressing that adequate notice would enable the police determine whether venues had already been booked by other groups and make alternative arrangements 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,” the AIG said.

She explained that early communication would also help prevent situations where rival groups could be scheduled to use the same venue at the same time.

“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 with A, while the other one uses with B,” she said.

The AIG called for proactive engagement between political actors and the police, saying the responsibility for maintaining a peaceful political environment could not be left to security agencies alone.

Also speaking, the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, CP Adekimi Ojo, called on content creators, journalists and other stakeholders to use their platforms to support the fight against terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of criminality.

Ojo said credible information supplied by members of the public had assisted security agencies in tackling criminal activities, urging content creators to see their influence as a tool for public safety rather than merely generating online engagement.

“Some people are doing a very great job. Many content creators have given me information that has helped us,” the commissioner said.

He recalled an instance where a content creator obtained and circulated the photograph of a suspected criminal linked to killings in Niger State, saying the information eventually assisted security operatives in tracking the suspect.

Ojo urged others to emulate such efforts by promptly sharing credible information about suspected criminals and criminal activities with the police and other security agencies.

He also warned against politicising security matters, stressing that terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes posed collective threats that required a united response.

“We cannot put politics into security issues. All of us must join together and fight this evil,” he said.

The commissioner further advocated stronger cooperation among security agencies, government institutions, traditional rulers, community leaders, the media and other stakeholders, noting that the fight against insecurity required collective action.

In his remarks, the Kwara State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, pledged the party’s support for peaceful political activities and urged politicians to reject violence ahead of the 2027 elections.

Fagbemi, who described politicians and security personnel as members of one family, said it was in the interest of the ruling party and the people of the state to sustain the prevailing peaceful atmosphere.

“Security, you know us, you know about what you do. All of us are one family,” he said.

“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.”

The APC chairman particularly cautioned politicians against involving youths and students in violent political activities, saying the future of young people 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.

He urged political actors to concentrate on presenting their programmes and persuading voters instead of engaging in confrontation, stressing that elections should provide the electorate with 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 at the event also called for neutrality, professionalism and adequate security during the 2027 general elections, stressing that security agencies should provide a level playing field for all political parties and candidates.

The inspection tour by the AIG was aimed at assessing the operational readiness of the Kwara Command, strengthening inter-agency coordination and reviewing security arrangements ahead of the 2027 elections.

The stakeholders maintained that sustained cooperation between security agencies, political parties, the media, traditional institutions and citizens would be critical to preventing violence and preserving peace in Kwara throughout the electoral period.