Police Warn Politicians Against Reckless Convoy Driving

The Police Command in Oyo State has warned against electoral violence and reckless convoy driving by politicians as the 2027 general elections approach.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Abimbola Olugbenga, gave the warning at a sensitisation lecture organised by the Police Command in Oyo State to mark the 2026 National Police Day celebration in Ibadan on Wednesday.

In attendance were representatives of political parties, transport unions, market leaders, INEC, among others.

Olugbenga said the sensitisation lecture on electoral violence, ballot snatching, and other related offences, as well as safe driving practices, was necessary to ensure violence-free elections in the state.

He said that it was imperative for citizens to understand the consequences of actions that undermine electoral integrity and public peace as critical periods in Nigeria democratic process approaches.

According to him, adherence to traffic laws and violence free electoral process remains a collective duty essential for the preservation of Nigeria’s democratic process and lives on the roads.

Olugbenga said effective policing during election period and beyond could not be achieved in isolation but with cooperation and trust between law enforcement and the communities.

He urged political parties to shun things that could trigger violence during elections.

Olugbenga also tasked motorists to refrain from alcoholic consumption and other intoxicants, but adhere to traffic rules to prevent accident.

The CP said that the Police Comnand would not hesitate to arrest and punish violators of electoral and traffic laws to serve as deterrent to others.

Also speaking, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), DCP Ekanem Usen, said election violence, such as ballot snatching and others, was a major threat to democracy in Nigeria.

Usen said the police in the state was committed to the protection of lives and property as well as Nigeria electoral process and urged citizens to conduct themselves peacefully during election.

In his remarks, the Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. AbdulRahman Tela, said the integrity of the ballot paper was the cornerstone of the country democracy.

Tela, represented by the Commission’s Executive Secretary, Mrs Agnes Oluwatumise, said that ballot paper snatching and other electoral violence undermine Nigeria democratic integrity.

The REC urged citizens to shun electoral violence in order to have credible election and sustained democracy in Nigeria.

He called on security agencies to be neutral during election and ensure security with the nooks and crannies of the state while political parties should be committed to the peace accord to prevent electoral violence.