2027: Bayelsa CP warn politicians against electoral violence

The Bayelsa State Police Command has warned politicians, political parties and their supporters against violence, intimidation and hate speech ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Commissioner of Police, Ajao Saka Adewale, gave the warning on Thursday during a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the command at the Police Officers’ Mess in Yenagoa.

The meeting, held under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, brought together representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, political parties, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations and community stakeholders.

Ajao urged political actors to place the collective interest of the state above partisan considerations, warning against actions and inflammatory statements capable of disrupting public peace.

He said, “Peaceful elections are a collective responsibility. Political parties, candidates and their supporters must shun violence, intimidation, hate speech and other conduct capable of threatening public peace.”

He also called for political tolerance, responsible campaigns and strict compliance with electoral laws, stressing the need for cooperation among stakeholders to prevent violence before, during and after the elections.

The police commissioner assured residents that the command, in collaboration with other security agencies, would deploy proactive and intelligence-led measures to protect lives and property throughout the electoral process.

“The Police, in collaboration with sister security agencies, will deploy proactive, intelligence-led measures before, during and after the elections to prevent violence, protect lives and property, and guarantee a safe environment for voters to exercise their civic rights,” he said.

The representative of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, the Administrative Secretary, Mrs Eme Agbor Akpan, urged political parties and other stakeholders to comply with the Electoral Act and established electoral guidelines.

Other participants commended the police commissioner for convening the meeting and pledged to support information sharing, inter-agency collaboration and efforts to prevent electoral violence.

The command urged residents and political actors to embrace the principle of “Bayelsa First”, saying peace should take precedence over political interests and dialogue over confrontation.

It also encouraged members of the public to report suspicious activities and emerging security threats to the appropriate authorities.

The command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the democratic process and ensuring peaceful conduct of the 2027 general elections in the state.