Akinleye made the call in a press statement issued from his office, urging aspirants, candidates, party leaders and their supporters across political parties to safeguard the peace, dignity and democratic integrity of the state.
He noted that Ogun has long been known for its tradition of intellectualism and progressive political culture, stressing that the state must sustain its reputation for responsible and mature political engagement.
“Ogun State has long been recognized as a beacon of intellectualism, progressive thought, and political maturity within the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Akinleye said, adding that politics in the state “must be conducted with decorum, substance and respect for the rule of law.”
The commissioner emphasized that campaigns ahead of the elections should focus on issues that directly affect the lives of the people, rather than personal attacks or divisive rhetoric.
According to him, “the electorate of Ogun State deserves campaigns built on ideas, not insults; on programs, not propaganda; on vision, not violence.”
Akinleye urged candidates to focus their campaigns on concrete policy alternatives, practical economic strategies, youth empowerment and employment initiatives, security and community safety, as well as education, healthcare, infrastructure development and fiscal responsibility.
He warned that political campaigns should not be reduced to platforms for character assassination, misinformation or ethnic division, noting that such conduct erodes public trust and weakens democratic institutions.
The Ombudsman also appealed to party supporters and political mobilizers to demonstrate restraint and discipline throughout the electoral process.
“Violence, intimidation, thuggery, vote-buying and inflammatory conduct undermine not only the electoral process but also the future of our State,” he said.
He further urged all stakeholders to respect the rule of law and electoral guidelines, avoid hate speech, reject violence in all forms, promote tolerance across party lines and uphold the sanctity of the ballot.
Akinleye stressed that the true strength of democracy lies not only in the conduct of elections but also in the character of those who participate in them.
“History will judge this generation of political actors not by the noise they make, but by the stability they preserve and the future they secure,” he stated.
He expressed optimism that with collective responsibility and commitment to peaceful engagement, Ogun State would continue to serve as a model for enlightened politics and peaceful democratic transitions in Nigeria.
