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Daud Olatunji
Civil society organizations and media groups in Ogun State have unveiled a non-partisan platform, OGUN 2027 CONVERSATION, to engage governorship and senatorial candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The initiative, which was formally unveiled to journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Iwe Iroyin Press Centre, Abeokuta, on Monday, September 14, 2026, is designed to shift the election discourse away from personality-driven campaigns, political slogans and confusion towards issues affecting residents of the state.
OGUN CONVERSATION 2027 Chairperson Comrade Yinka Folarin said the platform will provide candidates with sufficient opportunities to explain their programs, policy priorities and commitments to the electorate.
Folarin, addressing journalists together with other members of the coalition, stressed that the initiative was not conceived as an interrogation or witch hunt against political candidates.
He said: “When it comes to a conversation, it’s not like we’re interrogating. We want to hear from you, we want to know what you have in store for people.
“We don’t come to chastise you. We don’t come to witch hunt you. It’s a platform to listen to you, to introduce you to people, and through whatever you have presented, they can examine and ask you questions based on what you have presented and what you have as the content of your manifesto.”
According to him, the decision to use the word “conversation” instead of “debate” was deliberate, as the organizers wanted to create a relaxed environment where candidates could engage citizens on policies and governance without being unnecessarily trapped in a confrontational format.
Folarin said: “Why conversation? Why not debate? Because we want to engage in dialogue, in conversations with the community, with the people, with the aspirants, the candidates, to tell us what they really have in store for the people.
“We want critical engagement, issue-based engagement, issue-based conversations.”
The candidates will not fund the platform
The coalition also ruled out financial contributions from candidates who would be invited to participate in the conversations.
Addressing concerns about who will fund the initiative, Folarin said organizers will pool resources from their respective organizations and seek support from the media and other partners to maintain the platform’s independence.
He said that the organizers do not expect any financial or material support from any candidate, stressing that the only request from politicians will be their presence and participation.
“We don’t expect anything from any candidate. All we expect from them is their participation,” he said.
“In terms of resources, their presence, their participation in the place of conversation, that’s all we expect.”
Folarin added that organizers intend to leverage local and international partnerships while ensuring that no individual, political party or candidate can exert undue influence on the platform.
He said: “We will use our resources, both local and international, to make this happen, so that we are purely independent, without relying on anyone for this task.”
Ceni, targeted security agencies
Organizers said the conversation will not be limited to politicians, revealing plans to engage the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies on preparations for the 2027 elections.
The proposed engagement with INEC will cover electoral regulation, voter participation, accreditation, electoral technology, electoral procedures, comparison and reporting of results, as well as measures to strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
Security agencies will also be engaged in the prevention of political violence, protection of voters and election officials, neutrality, citizens’ rights during elections, early warning and response mechanisms, and cooperation with communities, civil society and the media.
Organizers said the ultimate goal is to ensure that residents can participate in elections freely and safely, without intimidation, discrimination or violence.
Focus on governance, work, healthcare, education
The coalition said conversations with the governor and senatorial candidates will focus on practical solutions to challenges facing Ogun residents.
Among the issues listed are good governance and accountability, security, human rights, youth employment and skills development, education, healthcare, economic development, poverty alleviation, infrastructure, local government administration and grassroots development.
Others include gender inclusion, participation of people with disabilities, electoral integrity, peacebuilding, prevention of political violence, constitutional governance and responsible management of public resources.
Organizers said candidates would be encouraged to make clear, measurable and publicly accountable commitments that could later be monitored by citizens.
The platform states that voters deserve to know not only the identity of those seeking their votes, but also what they intend to do if they are given public office.
Basic items to present
The initiative will also extend its activities beyond Abeokuta and other urban centers to grassroots communities across Ogun State.
Traditional and religious leaders, youth and women’s groups, professional associations, market and transport unions, persons with disabilities, community organizations and other stakeholders are expected to participate.
Organizers said the move is necessary to prevent the 2027 election conversation from becoming an exclusive conversation between politicians and elites.
The media urged a rejection of hate speech
Folarin also appealed to journalists and media organizations to play a vital role in ensuring that the 2027 election campaign remains issue-based and free of hate speech.
He said the media has the ability to shape public discourse and should use conflict-sensitive reporting mechanisms to prevent incendiary narratives that can escalate political tensions.
“We know that you guys set the agenda and we also know that you have what we call conflict-sensitive mechanisms that you can use to evaluate opinions, even of aspirants or candidates, so that there isn’t a lot of hate speech,” he said.
He added: “There should be no need for hate speech. It should be issue-based. What are your plans for the people and not just make up stories that will not be authenticated?”
“We will not support any party”
The coalition has said it will not support any political party or candidate, insisting that all eligible political actors will be treated equally.
It said political parties recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission and their candidates will be given the opportunity to participate, subject to applicable electoral and nomination processes.
Organizers also called on politicians and their supporters to reject hate speech, disinformation, intimidation and violence.
The platform said its work will continue beyond the 2027 campaigns and elections, with plans to document pledges made by candidates and encourage citizens to hold elected officials accountable for those promises.
The coalition includes civil society organizations working in the fields of human rights, democracy, peacebuilding and sustainable security, in collaboration with media organisations.
Among the signatories of the initiative are Folarin; Executive Director, Peace Initiative Network, Dr. Femi Michael Sodipo; Executive Director, Community Initiative for the Advancement of Education for Peace and Development, Adesina Adefolahan; Coordinator, Consumer Protection Initiative, Ogun, Ola Animashaun; Ogun State Secretary, Committee for the Defense of Human Rights, Comrade Ali Adeshina; Chairman, Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities, Ogun State Chapter, Ayo Awobona; State Coordinator for Women Countering Violent Extremism, Adebola Adeniji; The Executive Director of the Donmary Human and Community Enhancement Initiative, Agboola Oladoyin; President, Civil Liberties Organisation, Ogun State, Comrade Molade Gabriel Abiola; and the country director of the Global Support for Kids Initiative, Soleye Akingbade Alfred.
The coalition urged political parties, candidates, INEC, security agencies, traditional and religious institutions, organized labour, professional bodies, youth and women’s organisations, persons with disabilities, community leaders and residents to actively participate.
Organizers summed up the initiative with a call to Ogun residents to make the 2027 elections a platform to demand better leadership.
“We converse. We question. We demand accountability. We build peace. We protect democracy,” the coalition said.
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