2027 ELECTION: ENUGU POLITICAL PARTY YOUTH LEADERS SEEK PEACEFUL CAMPAIGNS, NSCDC PLEDGES ACTION AGAINST VIOLENCE
2027 ELECTION: ENUGU POLITICAL PARTY YOUTH LEADERS SEEK PEACEFUL CAMPAIGNS, NSCDC PLEDGES ACTION AGAINST VIOLENCE
Political party youth leaders in Enugu State have called for peaceful campaigns and violence-free elections ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging security agencies to maintain strict neutrality and protect citizens throughout the electoral process.
The call was made when the Enugu State Coalition of Political Party Youth Leaders paid a courtesy visit to the Enugu State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), where the group sought closer collaboration with the security agency on electoral peace, intelligence sharing and public safety.
Speaking during the visit, Chairman of the coalition and Youth Leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Hon. Comrade Okey Cosmas Reality, said the delegation was at the NSCDC headquarters to formally introduce the coalition and establish a working relationship with the Command ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reality said the coalition brings together youth leaders from political parties in the state and was established to promote dialogue, peaceful political participation and responsible engagement among young people across party lines.
He said security remains fundamental to the credibility of every election, noting that voters must be able to participate in campaigns, rallies, voter registration and accreditation, as well as cast their ballots without fear or intimidation.
According to him, the youth leaders were prepared to work with security agencies to promote peaceful political activities across Enugu State and to discourage young people from being used to perpetrate violence during the electoral season.
The coalition chairman appealed to the NSCDC and other security agencies to remain non-partisan before, during and after the elections, stressing that security personnel should uphold the Constitution and the rule of law irrespective of the political identity or status of individuals involved in electoral disputes.
He also called for appropriate legal action against anyone found to be sponsoring or instigating violence, including politicians or groups allegedly arming thugs or attempting to disrupt peaceful political activities.
Reality further expressed concern over what he described as the increasingly competitive political environment ahead of 2027, citing the spread of misinformation, concerns about voter intimidation and possible attacks on public infrastructure.
He said the NSCDC has an important role to play, particularly in the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure, while urging the Command to maintain an open channel of communication with political party youth leaders at the grassroots.
“We are ready to be your eyes and ears at the grassroots,” he said, adding that the coalition would provide relevant information to security authorities, sensitise young people against political violence and promote peaceful participation across the 17 local government areas of the state.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the coalition and Youth Leader of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Hon. Okonkwo C. Christopher, said elections remain one of the most important avenues through which citizens exercise their constitutional right to participate in governance.
Christopher said the democratic process could only serve its purpose when elections were conducted in an atmosphere of peace, security, fairness and respect for the rule of law.
He urged the NSCDC to continue strengthening its security arrangements ahead of the 2027 general elections to enable citizens to participate freely and safely.
He also called for stronger collaboration between political stakeholders and security agencies, particularly amid concerns raised by some stakeholders over alleged disruptions of political gatherings in parts of Enugu State.
The coalition’s Treasurer and Youth Leader of the Democratic Leadership Alliance, Hon. Ugwuanyi Chioma Martha, stressed the importance of peace to the survival of society and the conduct of credible elections.
She noted that political activities should not disrupt economic and social life, pointing out that violence affects businesses, schools, workplaces and families.
According to her, elections should not be treated as warfare and political differences should never become a reason for citizens to attack or harm one another.
Ugwuanyi called on the NSCDC to maintain professional monitoring of political activities and urged young people across the various political parties and wards to support security agencies in promoting peace.
The Youth Leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Hon. Uchenna Gabriel Odi, also raised concerns about the political atmosphere in Enugu State ahead of 2027.
Odi gave a historical perspective on political competition in the state and expressed concern over the possibility of political disagreements escalating into violence if adequate preventive measures were not taken.
He urged security agencies to respond promptly to threats to public peace and to investigate allegations of political violence, while insisting that individuals found responsible should be dealt with according to the law.
Odi’s comments formed part of the coalition’s broader appeal for security agencies to take preventive measures and strengthen engagement with political actors as the 2027 election cycle approaches.
Responding to the delegation, the Enugu State Commandant of the NSCDC, Dr. Elijah Etim Willie, appreciated the youth leaders for the visit and their stated commitment to electoral peace.
Commandant Willie said the NSCDC remained a neutral and non-partisan security institution committed to peaceful coexistence and the protection of lives and property.
He assured the coalition that the Command would not tolerate political violence, thuggery or activities capable of threatening public peace, stressing that anyone found attempting to breach the peace would be dealt with within the provisions of the law.
The Commandant, however, emphasised that security agencies could not effectively address emerging threats without timely and credible information from members of the public and other stakeholders.
He therefore encouraged the coalition to establish a reliable channel for sharing actionable intelligence with the Command, particularly information concerning planned acts of violence or threats to lives and property.
Willie also urged the youth leaders to recognise the important role they could play in preventing electoral violence, noting that young people are often at the centre of political campaigns and are sometimes vulnerable to being recruited for violent activities.
He advised them to take the message of peace to their respective political parties, local government areas and wards, stressing that elections are periodic and that political power changes hands through democratic processes.
The Commandant urged the youth leaders to look beyond partisan differences and unite around the broader interests of Enugu State.
He said the security agency was willing to maintain engagement with the coalition and other stakeholders to strengthen peace, security and public confidence ahead of the 2027 elections.
The meeting ended with a shared emphasis on dialogue, responsible political participation, intelligence sharing and respect for the rule of law as key elements in preventing electoral violence in Enugu State.
As political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, the engagement between the coalition and the NSCDC highlights the growing importance of youth participation in efforts to promote peaceful and credible elections across the state.
EKE TV will continue to monitor political, security and electoral developments in Enugu State and report verified developments as the 2027 election season approaches.
