Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Williams, has advised political parties in the state to submit their campaign schedules.
The Independent National Electoral Commission announced that public campaigns by political parties for the presidential and National Assembly polls would begin on September 28, 2022, while those for the governorship and state Houses of Assembly are scheduled to commence on October 12, 2022.
In a statement by the Oyo State Police Command spokesman, SP Adewale Osifeso, the CP was quoted as directing political parties in the state to submit their campaign schedules for the provision of adequate security.
The statement read in part, “The Oyo State Police Command, in furtherance of its proactive security responsiveness approach, on Friday, August 12, 2022, held a security sensitisation and awareness meeting with political stakeholders as the state approaches the electioneering campaign period and by extension the 2023 general elections in line with standard operating procedures.
“The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Police Command, Adebowale Williams, enjoined all the stakeholders to embrace peace and shun acts capable of truncating the relative peace and tranquillity being enjoyed by residents.
“While highlighting measures already put in place towards the realisation of a hitch-free campaign period, the Commissioner of Police advised the political parties participating in the general elections to submit details of their campaign schedules to include dates and routes for adequate security provisions.
“Furthermore, the CP intimated the gathering that apart from regular high octane patrols across the length and breadth of the state, intelligence-led stop-and-search and technological aided surveillance, the Oyo State Police Command has formed a special crowd control unit to cater for cases of crowd management before, during and after campaigns.
“Parents, guardians and leaders wielding various degrees of influence have been asked to prevail on their children, wards and protégés to avoid being used as cannon fodders by agents of mischief to disrupt the polity, as heavy sanctions await violators in accordance with the laws and statues of the land.
