2027: Police warn against electoral violence in A’Ibom

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The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Azare, has assured that the police will remain neutral, professional and impartial before, during and after the 2027 general elections, saying their loyalty is to the Constitution and the people.

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Azare gave the assurance on Tuesday in Uyo at the commencement of a two-day seminar on violence-free elections organised by the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and the Akwa Ibom State Government, with the theme, “Promoting Peaceful, Free, Fair and Credible Elections in Akwa Ibom State.”

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The CP warned political parties and their supporters against thuggery, hate speech, intimidation, destruction of campaign materials, possession of dangerous weapons, disruption of political gatherings and attacks on electoral officials.

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He said, “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.”

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He stressed that political competition must be about ideas and the choice of leaders, not violence and bloodshed, adding that credible elections cannot be achieved by security agencies alone, but with relevant stakeholders and community leaders.

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He further called for closer cooperation among the police, DSS, INEC, political parties, traditional and religious institutions, civil society groups, the media, youths and the general public.

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In his address, the state Governor, Umo Eno, said the 2027 general elections would be peaceful and credible, describing Akwa Ibom as “a peaceful home.”

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The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, particularly warned against the recruitment and manipulation of youths for political violence, saying young people should be given education, skills, jobs and opportunities rather than being armed, used to attack opponents and abandoned after elections.

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Eno warned politicians that no electoral ambition is worth the life of any citizen and declared that the 2027 contest must not destroy the peace and unity of the state.

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“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”, he added.

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He cautioned political actors against allowing disagreements to turn neighbours into enemies, noting that political parties are only vehicles for achieving political objectives and that, irrespective of election outcomes, Akwa Ibom remains the common home of its people.

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The governor charged political leaders, security agencies, the media, traditional rulers, religious bodies and civil society organisations to protect the state’s peace, warning that inflammatory speeches, fake news and unverified social media reports could trigger violence.

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“Ballots, not bullets, must determine leadership. Ideas, not intimidation, must win the support of the people. And peace must remain the ultimate victory for Akwa Ibom State,” he said.

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The Paramount Ruler of Uyo Local Government Area, His Royal Majesty Edidem Sylvanus Okon, who spoke on behalf of traditional rulers and community leaders, urged stakeholders to take the message of the seminar back to their communities and preserve the state’s reputation as a peaceful state.

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Okon prayed for the protection of police officers and other security personnel, urging them to remain neutral during the 2027 polls and deepen their commitment to peaceful elections.

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“The police, sister agencies, relevant actors, traditional rulers, community leaders, youth representatives and all stakeholders. Our duty is to take the message of the seminar back to our respective communities. This will help preserve the state’s reputation as a peaceful state in the 2027 elections,” he said.

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