The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stern warning to political parties and politicians in Akwa Ibom State, reiterating that the ban on campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections remains in force. Akwa Ibom Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Anugbum Onuoha, made the announcement during a press conference on Wednesday, emphasizing that any form of early campaigning will be met with legal consequences under the Electoral Act. He stated that nearly all political parties in the state have been involved in premature campaign activities, which violates electoral laws and undermines the integrity of the electoral process.
Onuoha stressed that INEC will not hesitate to enforce all available legal provisions against any party or individual found engaging in unauthorized campaign actions. He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to ensuring credible, free, and fair elections in 2027, urging all political actors to adhere strictly to the legal framework governing electoral conduct. “I want to inform all the political parties and their supporters in Akwa Ibom that the ban on campaigns has not been lifted,” he said. “Campaigning in violation of the Electoral Act would not be tolerated by the commission, and all political actors are expected to operate within the provisions of the law to ensure a peaceful and orderly electoral process.”
In addition to the campaign warning, the REC called on residents to take full advantage of the ongoing third phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. The exercise, which began on May 11 and will run until July 10, is being conducted across all 31 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State. Onuoha highlighted that only 163,635 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) have been collected so far, with 76,534 distributed in the first phase and 87,101 in the second. He described these figures as “abysmal” given the state’s population and the number of registered voters.
He encouraged those who registered in 2011 but whose PVCs are defaced, as well as those who were under 18 at the time of registration, to participate in the current CVR phase. At the same time, he cautioned against double registration, reminding the public that each person is entitled to only one voter card. Onuoha also reiterated that INEC will not tolerate any form of electoral malpractice, urging all stakeholders to cooperate fully with the commission to ensure a transparent and inclusive electoral process.
As the 2027 elections draw nearer, the actions of INEC in Akwa Ibom State signal a firm stance on electoral discipline and voter engagement, setting the stage for a more informed and participatory democracy.
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