Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has charged traditional rulers across the state to use their influence and grassroots reach to mobilise their subjects for peaceful, responsible and informed participation in the 2027 general elections.
The governor made the call on Tuesday while inaugurating the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, His Royal Majesty Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, as the new Chairman of the Ogun State Council of Obas at the Obas’ Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Oba Gbadebo succeeds Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, whose tenure as chairman of the Council recently ended.
Addressing the royal fathers, Governor Abiodun urged them to educate their subjects on the importance of civic participation and to discourage violence, thuggery, hatred and any acts capable of threatening the peace and stability of the state before, during and after the elections.
“As we approach the 2027 general elections, we have urged our royal fathers to mobilise and educate their subjects to participate peacefully, responsibly and with sound judgment,” the governor said.
“Elections must never become an excuse for violence, thuggery, hatred or division. We must collectively protect the peace and stability we have nurtured in Ogun State while encouraging our people to recognise the development strides of our administration and, when the time comes, translate their appreciation into their democratic choices at the polls.”
He further called on the monarchs 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.
Governor Abiodun also reiterated the state’s zero-tolerance stance on criminality, declaring that there would be no sanctuary for kidnappers, criminals, cultists or their collaborators anywhere in Ogun State.
He commended the traditional rulers for their continued partnership with the government in maintaining peace, strengthening security through intelligence gathering and community mobilisation, and advancing grassroots development under the “Building Our Future Together” agenda.