Bayelsa Police Urge Politicians to Avoid Violence Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Bayelsa State Police Command has issued a warning to politicians and their supporters about the dangers of violence and hate speech as the 2027 general elections approach. Commissioner of Police Ajao Saka Adewale delivered this message during a meeting in Yenagoa on Thursday.

The meeting was part of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security and included representatives from the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, political parties, and community leaders. Ajao emphasized the importance of prioritizing the state’s interests over political agendas and urged everyone to avoid actions that could disrupt public peace.

He stated, “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.” Ajao also called for responsible campaigning and adherence to electoral laws, highlighting the need for cooperation among all stakeholders to prevent violence.

The police commissioner assured residents that the police, along with other security agencies, would implement proactive measures to ensure safety during the elections. He said, “We will deploy intelligence-led measures before, during, and after the elections to protect lives and property.”

Mrs. Eme Agbor Akpan, representing the Resident Electoral Commissioner, also urged political parties to follow the Electoral Act and guidelines. Participants at the meeting praised the police for organizing the event and committed to sharing information and collaborating to prevent electoral violence.

The police command encouraged residents to adopt the principle of “Bayelsa First,” emphasizing that peace should take priority over political interests. They urged the public to report any suspicious activities to the authorities, reaffirming their commitment to ensuring a peaceful electoral process in 2027.