2027 Elections: ONC Urges Political Parties To Ensure Peaceful Campaigns, Shun Violence

The Orashi National Congress, ONC, has called on political party leaders at all levels to ensure peaceful campaigns and shun violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The President-General of ONC, Amb. Comrade Emeni Ibe, made the call on October 24, 2026, from Mbiama in Ahoada West, Rivers State, while reacting to rising political tension and pockets of violence recorded in some parts of the country as early electioneering activities gather momentum.

Ibe said political parties as critical stakeholders in the democratic process bear a huge responsibility to ensure that their conduct and that of their supporters do not overheat the polity or threaten the peace, unity and stability of the nation.

He lamented that Orashi people have suffered enormously from political violence in the past, citing ballot box snatching, cult clashes allegedly sponsored by desperate politicians, destruction of homes, displacement of families and killings of innocent youths in Ahoada West, Abua/Odual and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni.

“Election is not war, but a contest of ideas and service to the people. In Orashi, we have paid a heavy price for political violence in the past – our markets burnt, our youths killed or turned into thugs, our mothers displaced. No political ambition is worth the blood of any Orashi son or daughter, or any Nigerian,” Ibe said.

The ONC President-General outlined five key appeals:

He appealed to all political party leaders from national to ward level in Rivers State and across Nigeria to deliberately and consistently preach peace and call their supporters to order.

The group warned against political thuggery, recruitment of Orashi youths as political thugs, hate speech, and destruction and vandalization of critical national infrastructure, schools and public assets in Orashi communities.

Ibe urged that campaigns should be issue-based, focusing on job creation, revival of agriculture in Orashi, fixing of roads, protection of the environment and improvement of lives, rather than character assassination, incitement and violence.

He called on Orashi youths, who have been the worst victims and tools of violence in the past, not to allow themselves to be used by desperate politicians.

“Your life is more valuable than any politician’s ambition. Be patriotic and protect public infrastructure in your communities,” he said.

The ONC also called on security agencies, traditional rulers and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to remain neutral, vigilant and proactive to ensure a peaceful and credible process.

Ibe emphasized that 2027 must be different for Orashi.

“We must choose ballots over bullets, dialogue over destruction and peace over bloodshed,” he said.