As political activities gradually intensify ahead of the next electoral cycle in Ogun State, the State’s Ombudsman and Honourable Federal Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission, Hon. Morakinyo OgoOluwa Akinleye, has issued a stern warning against divisive politics, violence, and inflammatory campaigns that may lead the State into political chaos.
In a press statement issued from his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Akinleye called on political aspirants, party leaders, and supporters across the State to embrace issue-based campaigns and safeguard the peace and democratic integrity of the Gateway State.
He emphasized that Ogun State has long been recognized within the country and even globally, as a beacon of intellectualism, progressive thought, and political maturity, warning that elections must not be turned into platforms for personal attacks, misinformation, ethnic division, or political thuggery that would erode public trust and destabilize the State’s longstanding reputation for political maturity.
Akinleye further expressed concern about the growing trend of inflammatory rhetoric and divisive messaging as political activities unfold, stressing that hate speeches and character assassination weaken democratic institutions and heighten tension within communities.
“From the legacies of revered statesmen to the present democratic dispensation, our State has long been a reference point and consistently demonstrated that politics can and must be conducted with decorum, substance, and respect for the rule of law, hence the need to tow the same line of engagement”, he maintained.
Outlining key areas that should dominate campaign discourse, the State’s Ombudsman said political conversations should center on concrete policy alternatives, economic strategies, youth empowerment and employment initiatives, security and community safety, education, healthcare, infrastructure development, fiscal responsibility, and transparency rather than propaganda that would reduce the elections to battlegrounds of personal attacks, ethnic supremacy, character assassination, misinformation, and divisive rhetoric.
“The campaign should be devoid of ethnic or subethnic prejudices, but an inclusive one. Therefore, candidates are expected to articulate clear manifestos, engage in constructive debates, and present measurable plans that speak directly to the needs and aspirations of our people. The electorates of Ogun State deserve campaigns built on ideas, not insults; on programs, not propaganda; on vision, not violence”, Akinleye declared.
Addressing party supporters and political mobilizers directly, he urged them to demonstrate utmost restraint, discipline, and civility as they move about to sell their candidates and party manifestoes, warning that political passion must never degenerate into hostility, violence, intimidation, thuggery, political gangsterism, and other inflammatory conducts that would undermine not only the electoral process but also democracy and the future of the State.
He called on all political actors and gladiators to respect the rule of law and electoral guidelines, avoid hate speech and inflammatory communication, reject violence in all forms but promote tolerance across party lines, and uphold the sanctity of the ballot, emphasising that democracy thrives when citizens disagree respectfully and compete peacefully.
“Our goal must be to produce quality elected representatives, leaders chosen on merit, competence, integrity, and vision, who will advance the development, unity, and prosperity of Ogun State. Let us prove once again that Ogun State stands for enlightened politics and peaceful democratic transitions. The true strength of democracy is measured not only by the conduct of elections but by the character of those who participate in them,” Akinleye advised.
The State’s Ombudsman however cautioned that history would not be kind with any generation of political actors if the sanctity and stability of the political space is not preserved and the future of the State is threatened by the volume of their negative rhetoric.
