As political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State, a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress, Idowu Iranlade Popoola, has called on traditional rulers across the state to deepen their support for ongoing security efforts of the state government by strengthening local intelligence networks and reinforcing community based safety measures to forestall attacks and kidnappings, warning that the convergence of crime and political competition poses a subtle but serious threat to public order.
Popoola, who is also an aspirant for the Ekiti North Federal Constituency II seat in the House of Representatives, made the appeal recently in Otun Ekiti while addressing party faithful and community stakeholders, where he stressed that as the election season approaches, there is an urgent need for proactive collaboration between government institutions and grassroots leadership structures to prevent criminal elements from exploiting political tensions.
He commended the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji for what he described as deliberate and strategic efforts to keep the state secure through tightened surveillance at border communities, expanded patrol operations and sustained intelligence sharing with traditional institutions and local councils, noting that such measures have helped to maintain relative calm in spite of growing insecurity in parts of the country.
According to him, the decision by the state government to focus on border monitoring is particularly crucial given Ekiti’s proximity to states such as Kwara and Kogi where security operations against bandits and criminal networks have intensified, a development that could push opportunistic criminals to seek softer targets if vigilance is relaxed.
He observed that while Ekiti has historically enjoyed a reputation as one of the more peaceful states in Nigeria, with several security assessments ranking it among the safest in terms of violent crime, the current climate demands sustained alertness because safety is not a permanent condition but a product of continuous effort and strategic planning.
Popoola therefore urged traditional rulers to leverage their influence within their domains by encouraging residents to volunteer credible information to security agencies, insisting that community based intelligence remains one of the most effective tools in preempting criminal activity before it escalates into full blown attacks or abductions.
He further called on the Nigeria Police Force to intensify intelligence led policing across urban and rural communities while also urging the Ekiti State Amotekun Corps to strengthen its rapid response capabilities in collaboration with border surveillance teams, agro marshals and community policing units to ensure that no part of the state becomes vulnerable to infiltration.
While acknowledging the visible presence of security operatives in several flashpoints, the APC chieftain emphasized that law enforcement must evolve beyond reactive patrols to embrace predictive intelligence systems supported by improved communication networks and coordinated data sharing among agencies at both state and interstate levels.
He warned that as political campaigns intensify, there is a real risk that criminal actors may attempt to cloak their activities in political garb, thereby blurring the lines between ordinary crime and politically motivated violence in ways that could undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
He pointed out that rural routes and logistical corridors used for election materials are frequently the same pathways exploited by kidnappers and violent gangs, a reality that makes it imperative for security planners to adopt a holistic approach that links electoral security with broader crime prevention strategies.
In his words, insecurity should not be viewed solely through the narrow lens of armed attacks because it also encompasses the psychological climate within which citizens must be able to move freely, assemble peacefully and exercise their democratic rights without fear of harassment or violence.
He maintained that the peace currently enjoyed in Ekiti is fragile and not merely the outcome of internal stability but the product of constant vigilance, active policing, effective border control and sustained collaboration between government, traditional institutions and residents, adding that without adequate investment in personnel, equipment and intelligence systems the situation could shift rapidly.
Popoola therefore reiterated his call for collective responsibility, urging political actors to conduct their campaigns with restraint and for security agencies to remain impartial and professional, insisting that only through shared commitment and forward looking planning can Ekiti State preserve its reputation for peace while safeguarding the credibility of the 2026 governorship election.