INEC, Eno, Police Raise Alarm Over Electoral Violence In Akwa Ibom

• INEC, security agencies warn politicians against violence ahead of the 2027 elections.

• Eno says no political ambition is worth the life of any Akwa Ibom citizen.

• Police vow neutrality, professionalism, warn against thuggery, hate speech, weapons.

• Traditional rulers urge stakeholders to protect Akwa Ibom’s reputation as a peaceful state.

September 15, () – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Akwa Ibom State Government and security agencies have raised the alarm over the potential for electoral violence ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning political actors and their supporters against actions capable of threatening the peace of the state.

The warning came on Tuesday in Uyo at a two-day seminar on violence-free elections organised by the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS) and Akwa Ibom State Government, with the theme: “Promoting Peaceful, Free, Fair and Credible Elections in Akwa Ibom State.”

Declaring the seminar open on behalf of Governor Umo Eno, Deputy Governor Senator Akon Eyakenyi said no political ambition was worth the life of any citizen, urging politicians to pursue their ambitions through ideas, persuasion and the ballot rather than violence and intimidation.

Eno warned against recruiting youths as political thugs, stressing that young people should be provided with education, skills, employment and other opportunities instead of being armed and deployed against political opponents.

He also called on political leaders, security agencies, the media, traditional and religious leaders as well as civil society organisations to work collectively to protect the state’s peace, warning that inflammatory speeches, fake news and unverified information on social media could trigger violence.

The governor declared that there would be no sacred cows in the enforcement of laws against electoral violence, insisting that “ballots, not bullets” must determine leadership.

The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, assured that the police would remain neutral, professional and impartial before, during and after the elections.

Azare 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.

He stressed that political competition could never justify violence and called for stronger cooperation among INEC, security agencies, political parties, traditional and religious institutions, civil society organisations, the media, youths and the general public.

The Paramount Ruler of Uyo Local Government Area, His Royal Majesty Edidem Sylvanus Okon, who spoke on behalf of the Traditional Rulers Council, urged stakeholders to take the message of the seminar to their respective communities and sustain Akwa Ibom’s reputation as a peaceful state.

He also prayed for the protection and wellbeing of police officers and other security personnel deployed to maintain peace in the state.

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The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Akwa Ibom State, Prof. Anugbum Onuoha, whose appointment to the state was confirmed by INEC in April 2026, is expected to reinforce the commission’s commitment to a peaceful and credible electoral process.

In an exclusive interaction with THEWIL, Onuoha stressed that peaceful elections require the responsibility of all stakeholders, noting that INEC would continue to work with security agencies, political parties, traditional institutions, the media and voters to ensure that the electoral process is protected from violence and intimidation.

According to him, the commission’s responsibility goes beyond conducting elections, as it must also help create confidence in the electoral process by ensuring that eligible citizens are allowed to exercise their franchise freely and without fear.

He urged political actors and their supporters to see elections as a democratic contest rather than a battle, stressing that the outcome of an election should never become a reason for violence or destruction.

“INEC has also publicly emphasised that its RECs carry primary responsibility for electoral administration in their respective states and must ensure effective supervision, early deployment of personnel and materials, accountability and integrity in the electoral process”. The Rec noted.