The theme, “Electioneering Campaigns 2026/2027: TRACE Committed to Safer Roads and Seamless Traffic Management,” reflects the agency’s determination to provide effective traffic management services during the electioneering period.

**It communicates two major institutional commitments**

A. **Commitment to Safer Roads**

This represents TRACE’s determination to prevent avoidable road traffic crashes, promote responsible driving, and protect all categories of road users during political campaign activities.

B.**Commitment to Seamless Traffic Management**

This represents the agency’s responsibility to maintain orderly traffic movement, reduce congestion, prevent unnecessary road obstruction, and ensure that motorists and pedestrians can move conveniently despite increased political activities.

The theme, therefore, emphasises the need to balance democratic participation with road safety, public convenience, and efficient mobility.

1.0 WHY TRACE’S INVOLVEMENT IS IMPORTANT DURING ELECTIONEERING CAMPAIGNS

Electioneering campaigns can significantly increase pressure on the road transportation system.Political rallies, campaign processions, and roadshows often attract large numbers of vehicles, motorcycles, pedestrians, and supporters

Without effective traffic management, these activities may result in:

1. Unnecessary traffic congestion.

2. Blockage of major highways and access roads.

3. Indiscriminate parking by campaign vehicles.

4. Dangerous driving by convoy operators.

5. Increased risks of road traffic crashes.

6. Disruption of commercial transportation.

7. Delayed access for emergency services.

8. Public complaints and conflicts among road users.

TRACE’s involvement is therefore necessary to ensure that electioneering activities are conducted without unnecessary disruption to traffic flow and public safety.
The agency must ensure that every road user, irrespective of political affiliation, enjoys the right to safe and convenient movement.

2.0 TRACE’S STRATEGIC RESPONSIBILITIES DURING ELECTIONEERING CAMPAIGNS

2.1 Effective Traffic Control and Management

TRACE shall ensure effective traffic control across major highways, strategic junctions, roundabouts, campaign venues, and other traffic-sensitive locations.

Specific responsibilities include:

Directing vehicular movement.

Preventing unnecessary traffic gridlock.

Managing traffic around political rally venues.

Regulating campaign-related vehicular movements.

Preventing illegal parking and road obstruction.

Facilitating smooth traffic circulation.

Maintaining access to adjoining roads and public facilities.

2.2 Management of Political Campaign Convoys

Campaign convoys are among the major sources of traffic disruption during electioneering periods.TRACE shall work with relevant authorities and campaign organisers to encourage orderly convoy movement.

Responsibilities include:

Monitoring traffic conditions along campaign routes.

Preventing reckless driving by convoy operators.

Discouraging unnecessary occupation of multiple traffic lanes.

Preventing dangerous overtaking and speeding.

Ensuring compliance with applicable traffic regulations.

Maintaining access for other road users.

2.3 Road Safety and Crash Prevention

The safety of lives must remain a major priority throughout the electioneering period.
TRACE shall intensify road safety monitoring and enforcement to address dangerous driving practices.

Particular attention should be given to:

Reckless driving.

Excessive speeding.

Driving against traffic.

Unsafe motorcycle operations.

Dangerous pedestrian movement.

Indiscriminate roadside parking.

The agency should also intensify public enlightenment on responsible driving and safe transportation.

2.4 Management of Traffic Around Campaign Venues

Political campaign venues often attract large crowds and increased vehicular movements.

TRACE shall identify traffic-sensitive locations and establish appropriate traffic control arrangements.

Such arrangements should include:

1. Identification of designated parking areas in coordination with relevant authorities.

2. Regulation of vehicle entry and exit.

3. Protection of pedestrian walkways.

4. Prevention of obstruction of emergency routes.

5. Management of surrounding intersections.

6. Provision of alternative traffic routes where necessary.

2.5 Emergency Response and Traffic Incident Management

TRACE must maintain operational readiness to respond to traffic-related emergencies.

These include road traffic crashes, vehicle breakdowns, traffic obstructions, and other incidents affecting road movement.

The Agency shall coordinate with the Police, FRSC, Fire Service, and emergency medical services to facilitate timely intervention.

Every second counts, and every life matters.

3.0 POLITICAL NEUTRALITY: A FUNDAMENTAL OPERATIONAL PRINCIPLE

One of the most important responsibilities of TRACE during electioneering campaigns is maintaining political neutrality.

TRACE is a public institution established to serve the general motoring public, not any political party, candidate, or interest group.

Consequently:

TRACE personnel must not participate in political campaigns while on official duty. (i. e. no carrying  banners / signs )

Agency uniforms and operational vehicles must not be used for partisan political activities.

Officers must not display political preferences while performing official assignments.

Traffic regulations must be enforced fairly and consistently.

No political party or candidate should receive preferential traffic enforcement treatment.

Officers must respect the rights and dignity of political supporters and other members of the public.

Political neutrality does not mean operational inactivity. Rather, it means providing equal, fair, and professional traffic management services to all.

TRACE must be neutral in politics but active in traffic management.

4.0 INTER-AGENCY COLLABORATION AND OPERATIONAL COORDINATION

Successful electioneering campaign traffic management requires cooperation among relevant government and security agencies.

TRACE should establish effective working relationships with:

Nigeria Police Force Public order, security, and protection of lives and property

INEC Electoral administration and campaign-related coordination

FRSC Road safety enforcement and crash-related responsibilities

NSCDC Civil protection and assigned security responsibilities

Ogun State Ministry of Transportation Transportation policy and traffic management coordination

Fire Service Fire emergencies and rescue operations

Emergency Medical Services Medical emergencies and casualty evacuation

Local Government Authorities Local operational coordination.
It is important to recognise that TRACE’s responsibility is traffic management. General crowd control, political security, and maintenance of public order remain with the appropriate security agencies.

5.0 OPERATIONAL PREPAREDNESS AND PERSONNEL DEPLOYMENT

To achieve effective service delivery, TRACE must prepare adequately before the commencement of major political campaign activities.

The following measures are recommended:

A. Headquarters

Provide strategic leadership and operational direction.

Develop operational guidelines.

Coordinate inter-agency relationships.

Provide logistics and operational support.

Monitor performance across all commands.

B. Zonal Commands

Coordinate operations within their zones.

Identify major campaign venues.

Supervise Area and Divisional Commands.

Ensure adequate personnel deployment.

C. Area Commands

Identify traffic-sensitive locations.

Coordinate campaign-related traffic operations.

Monitor Divisional performance.

Submit operational situation reports.

D. Divisional and Unit Commands

Conduct field assessments.

Deploy personnel to strategic locations.

Monitor traffic conditions.

Ensure discipline and accountability.

E. Field Officers

Maintain visible operational presence.

Direct traffic professionally.

Assist motorists and pedestrians.

Report emergencies promptly.

Enforce applicable traffic regulations impartially.

The agency should adopt its operational philosophy:

“One Zone, One Area, One Command and One Operational Standard Procedure.”

6.0 DISCIPLINE, PROFESSIONALISM, AND ACCOUNTABILITY

The conduct of TRACE officers during electioneering campaigns will significantly influence the public perception of the agency.

Every officer must demonstrate:

1. Discipline.

2. Courtesy.

3. Integrity.

4. Impartiality.

5. Professional competence.

6. Respect for human rights.

7. Accountability.

8. Commitment to public service.

Commanders must ensure that officers understand their responsibilities and comply with established operational procedures.Any misconduct, extortion, intimidation, political partisanship or abuse of official authority should be addressed through established disciplinary procedures.

7.0 CONCLUSION
Electioneering campaigns are important democratic activities that should be conducted in an atmosphere of peace, safety, order, and respect for the rights of all citizens.
However, democratic participation must not become a source of unnecessary road obstruction, traffic congestion, dangerous driving or avoidable road traffic crashes.As Ogun State prepares for the 2026/2027 electioneering period, TRACE must demonstrate its institutional commitment to safer roads and seamless traffic management.

The Agency must strengthen operational preparedness, improve personnel deployment, enhance public enlightenment, promote inter-agency cooperation and ensure strict adherence to professional standards.Every TRACE officer must understand that the Agency’s responsibility is to serve the entire motoring public without political discrimination.Our commitment must remain consistent before, during and after every political campaign activity.We must protect lives, preserve traffic order, promote public convenience and keep Ogun State moving.

**WHILE DEMOCRACY MOVES, TRACE KEEPS OGUN STATE MOVING