2027: Gov Eno, INEC, Security Agencies, Others Task Parties On Credible Polls

With barely three months to the crucial 2027 general elections, key stakeholders including Governor Umo Eno, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have impressed it on political parties to safeguard the integrity of the contests by ensuring a hitch – free outcomes.

Therefore, the conferees at the ongoing two – day seminar on violence – free elections holding at Ibom Hall, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital called on political leaders, candidates, the youths, security agencies and other stakeholders to be in the vanguard of ensuring a free, fair and credible polls by commiting themselves to the exercise.

Addressing the summit, Governor Eno, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Akon Eyakenyi, reminded leaders and political parties’ candidates to the polls that no political ambition was worth the peace, unity and future of the State and advised to trade on the path of caution.

He urged stakeholders to conduct their political activities in ways that preserve relationships, protect lives and property, as well as strengthen the state’s democratic culture, stressing that political opponents should not be treated as enemies.

While pointing out that belonging to different political parties does not make Akwa Ibom people less united, the governor enjoined political actors to take into consideration the fact that “after elections, citizens would continue to live together, worship together, trade together, raise their children in the same communities and share a common destiny.”

However, he charged politicians to demonstrate leadership through their language and conduct, warning against divisive rhetoric, incitement and the mobilisation of youth for violence.

“Young people deserve opportunities, education, skills, jobs and a future, rather than being recruited, armed or manipulated for political purposes.,” he cautioned.

To the the youths, the governor urged them to “reject anyone who attempts to use you as political thugs,” adding that their future was worth far more than whatever money they could be offered to attack opponents, destroy property or disrupt elections.

To ensure fidelity of the exercise, the governor directed security agencies to maintain professionalism and adopt an intelligence-led, coordinated and people-centred approach to election security, while calling for stronger collaboration among the police, Department of State Services, Armed Forces and other agencies to prevent criminals and political troublemakers from exploiting institutional gaps.

He equally tasked the media to demonstrate professionalism in their coverage of political activities, noting that careless headlines, unverified social media posts and inflammatory commentary could have consequences far beyond the intentions of their authors.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to safeguarding citizens’ constitutional right to political participation and peaceful assembly, but warned that nobody would be allowed to hide under politics to disturb the peace of the State.

“Elections must not divide us. Politics must not destroy our brotherhood. Ballots, not bullets, must determine leadership. Ideas, not intimidation, must win the support of the people,” Eno declared.
“Peace must remain the ultimate victory for Akwa Ibom State,” he stressed.

The State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Anugbum Onuoha, noted that “election is local” and tasked the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS), organisers of the summit to take the sensitisation campaigns across the 31 local government areas before the election proper.

The Commissioner of Police (CP), Azare, said the seminar demonstrated the collective determination of stakeholders to ensure that elections in the State remained peaceful, orderly, credible and free from intimidation, thuggery and violence.

He warned that political thuggery, destruction of campaign materials, hate speech, intimidation of opponents, possession of dangerous weapons, disruption of political gatherings and attacks on electoral officials would not be tolerated, emphasizing that peaceful elections could not be achieved through enforcement alone..He noted that cooperation among the Police and other security agencies, INEC, political parties, traditional and religious institutions, civil society organisations, the media, youth and the general public was required for a successful conduct of elections.

The CP particularly urged the youth to resist the temptation of lending themselves as instruments of political violence, noting that their future was greater than political thuggery. He also called on political leaders to refrain from recruiting, financing or encouraging youths to engage in violence for temporary financial gain.

The police chief cautioned citizens against irresponsible use of social media, stressing that false information, inflammatory publications, hate speech and unverified claims could create tension and threaten public peace.

He assured that the security agencies would remain neutral, professional and impartial, maintaining that their loyalty to the Constitution and other laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as duty to ensure the peace and security of the people would never be compromised.

Azare expressed appreciation to Governor Eno for his support and sponsorship of the seminar, describing it as a clear demonstration of the administration’s commitment to peaceful democratic participation, responsible political engagement and the conduct of elections devoid of violence.