…as OYSIEC Leadership visit CP

The Nigeria Police Force, Oyo State Command, has assured residents of the state of adequate security before, during, and after the local government council elections, scheduled to hold on 29th December, 2026.

The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Olugbenga, gave the assurance on Monday while hosting the leadership of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) during a courtesy visit to his office in Eleyele, Ibadan.

CP Olugbenga emphasized that a peaceful environment is essential for the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections, noting that the command is fully prepared to ensure the safety of lives and property throughout the electoral process.

‘I want to assure the Chairman and his entourage the one hundred percent support of the command in the forthcoming Local Government Council Elections.

‘ We have been doing this and we will not stop because there is no way we can assure the voting populace, fair,free and credible elections without peace.

‘ I want to say that this year’s election will not be different from the previous ones. We’ll do it. We’ll collaborate very well. And we are going to show other states that we can do it. I thank you for coming this way.’

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission, Dr. Afees Adeniyi, said the visit was to formally inform the command of the Commission’s intention to conduct a peaceful and intimidation-free election.

Dr. Adeniyi noted that residents of the state often express concerns about their safety on election days, stressing the need for stronger collaboration with the police to ensure a conducive environment before, during, and after the polls.

He called on the command to assist in maintaining law and order across polling units on election day and ensure that no life is lost during the process.

The OYSIEC Chairman commended the police for their support during previous local government elections, urging the command to sustain the cooperation.

“We are here today to engage with your office and to formally notify you that our election is scheduled to hold on 29th December, 2026, while also presenting our requests.

“We received tremendous support from this command in 2024, and we remain grateful. We look forward to further support and collaboration as we prepare for the forthcoming election.

The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) has called for continuous collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enhance the credibility, transparency, and efficiency of electoral processes in the forthcoming Local Government Election across the State.

The OYSIEC Chairman, Dr. Afees Adeniyi, disclosed this during a visit to the INEC Headquarters, Ibadan, to officially notify the leadership of INEC of the new election date and solicit support for the effective conduct of the Local Government elect Electionion.

Adeniyi noted that the law clearly outlines INEC’s supportive role to State electoral commissions, stressing the need for sustained collaboration to achieve the desired outcome in the forthcoming Local Government Election in the State.

He said: “We are here today to engage with your office as a sister electoral body and to formally notify you that our election is scheduled to hold on 29th December, 2026, while also presenting our requests.

“We received tremendous support from your office in 2023, and we remain grateful. We look forward to further guidance and advice from the Commission as we prepare for the forthcoming election.”

Adeniyi noted that as part of its preparations, OYSIEC intends to request certain electoral materials, including an updated voter register, and seek INEC’s advice on how to tackle political apathy and other relevant matters.

In his response, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Oyo State, Professor Adeniran Tella, pledged to collaborate with OYSIEC to ensure the conduct of a free, fair, and credible Local Government Election.

Professor Tella noted that the role of the state Independent Electoral Commissions remains critical in strengthening democracy at the grassroots, affirming that the success of OYSIEC will greatly contribute to the progress of the State and also promote good governance.

He noted: “It is pertinent to note that candidates of the ruling party in the state usually emerge as the winner in the conduct of local government elections.

“It is time for State Independent Electoral Commissions to take the bull by the horns by conducting proper elections and demonstrating the courage needed to uphold the integrity and credibility of the electoral process.”