The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, has challenged political parties to make the 2027 election campaign a contest of ideas rather than a battleground for violence, warning that the police will move against anyone seeking to destabilise the state through political activities.

Azare gave the warning on Wednesday at the signing of the Akwa Ibom State Political Parties Peace Accord 2026/2027, where representatives of political parties and other electoral stakeholders formally committed themselves to peaceful participation in the electoral process.

He said the effectiveness of the accord would depend not on the ceremony surrounding its signing but on the conduct of political actors before, during and after the elections. “The true value of this Accord will be measured by our conduct before, during and after the elections,” he stated.

The commissioner specifically charged party leaders to take responsibility for their candidates, campaign teams, agents, youth groups and supporters, stressing that political leaders must ensure that the commitment to peaceful elections reaches every level of their structures.

He also warned youths against allowing themselves to be used as instruments of violence, while listing thuggery, hate speech, misinformation, vote buying, intimidation and destruction of property among acts the security agencies would not tolerate.

Azare, however, assured political parties and other stakeholders that the police would maintain neutrality and professionalism throughout the electoral process. “We shall discharge our responsibilities professionally, fairly and without fear or favour,” he said,

The CP urged all parties, INEC, security agencies, traditional and religious leaders, civil society groups, the media and voters to work together to preserve the peace of Akwa Ibom.