The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) and security agencies have warned politicians not to stir up violence before, during and after the 2027 general elections in Kwara State. They said politics must not become a reason to destroy the state.
They spoke at a lecture titled “Mitigating Electoral Violence in Kwara State Before and After the 2027 General Elections.” The Kwara chapter of the ACF organised it.
ACF tells politicians to shun thuggery
The ACF chairman in Kwara, Alhaji Abdullahi Yusuf, said the lecture aimed to rally all stakeholders behind a peaceful election.
He warned politicians against hiring youths as thugs. He also urged religious institutions to stay true to their role as centres of peaceful coexistence. Security agencies, he added, must remain professional and impartial throughout the election cycle.
Peace should come first, says IEDPU
The IEDPU national president, Alhaji Abdulmumi Abdulmalik, was represented by Col. Kareem Adisa (rtd). He said the political class must put the peace of the state and the country first.
Police promise peaceful polls
The Commissioner of Police in Kwara, Adekimi Ojo, said security agencies would ensure peaceful elections.
He asked politicians to tell the police about their programmes in advance, so as to avoid clashes during campaigns. He also called for issue-based campaigns. Politicians, he said, should tolerate one another because they will remain one family after the polls.
INEC urges politicians to obey the law
The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kwara, Alhaji Ahmed Yushau Garki, was represented by the administrative secretary, Alhaji Abdul Azeez Ibrahim. He advised politicians to play the game of politics within the law.
Everyone has a role, says deputy police commissioner
A deputy commissioner of police, Idachaba Adamu, presented a paper on the role of traditional, religious, political and community leaders in peace building, intelligence gathering and collective security. He said every stakeholder must play a part in preventing electoral violence.
He called on traditional rulers to become ambassadors of peace and on political leaders to show responsible leadership. Community leaders, he said, should promote vigilance and lawful reporting, while security agencies should stay professional and impartial. He also urged youths to reject thuggery, women to keep strengthening community peace and the media to promote truth and responsible communication.
Idachaba then urged all present to make a solemn commitment to future generations. “Never again should politics become a reason to destroy the peace of Kwara State,” he said.
Meta description: The ACF, IEDPU and security agencies warn Kwara politicians against inciting violence ahead of the 2027 elections and call for peaceful, issue-based campaigns.
Focus keyphrase: Kwara electoral violence
Tags: Kwara State, electoral violence, Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, IEDPU, Ilorin, 2027 general elections, Nigeria Police, INEC, peaceful elections, Nigerian politics
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