Police Warn Politicians Against Electoral Violence Ahead of 2027 Polls in Akwa Ibom

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Police Warn Politicians Against Electoral Violence Ahead of 2027 Polls in Akwa Ibom
Uyo — The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, has warned politicians and their supporters to shun violence and all forms of criminality ahead of the 2027 general elections in the state.

Azare gave the warning in Uyo, the state capital, during a two-day seminar on violence-free elections organised by the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Akwa Ibom State Government.

Speaking on the theme “Promoting Peaceful, Free, Fair and Credible Elections in Akwa Ibom State,” the Police Commissioner said the command will remain neutral, professional and impartial before, during and after the elections, stressing that its loyalty is to the Constitution and the people.

He warned political parties against thuggery, hate speech, intimidation, destruction of opponents’ campaign materials, possession of dangerous weapons, disruption of political gatherings and attacks on electoral officers.

“We remain neutral, professional, and impartial. Our loyalty is to the Constitution and laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and to the peace and security of the people we are mandated to protect. Political parties must warn their supporters against electoral violence or attacks on electoral officers,” Azare said.

He noted that political competition should be about ideas and leadership choices, not violence and bloodshed, and called for closer cooperation among the police, DSS, INEC, political parties, traditional and religious institutions, civil society, the media, youths and the general public to achieve credible polls.

Also speaking, Governor Umo Eno said the 2027 elections in the state would be peaceful and credible, describing Akwa Ibom as a peaceful home.

The Governor, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, warned against recruiting and using youths for political violence, saying young people should be empowered with education, skills and jobs instead of being armed to attack opponents and abandoned after elections.

“No political ambition is worth the life of a single Akwa Ibom person. No elective position is worth destroying the peace we have worked hard to maintain in this state,” Eno said.

He added that political parties are only vehicles for achieving political objectives and that regardless of election outcomes, Akwa Ibom remains a common home. He urged stakeholders to avoid inflammatory speeches, fake news and unverified social media reports, insisting that “ballots, not bullets, must determine leadership.”

On his part, the Paramount Ruler of Uyo Local Government Area, His Royal Majesty Edidem Sylvanus Okon, who spoke on behalf of traditional rulers, urged all stakeholders to take the message of peaceful elections back to their communities to preserve the state’s reputation as a peaceful state.

He prayed for the protection of security personnel and urged them to maintain neutrality and commitment to peaceful elections in 2027.
SOURCE: The Sun Nigeria