The Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Shafa, has warned political parties and their supporters against violence, hate speech, fake news and other activities capable of threatening the peaceful conduct of the 2027 elections.
Shafa issued the warning on Wednesday during a meeting with chairmen and representatives of political parties in the state. He urged political actors to conduct peaceful campaigns and work with security agencies to ensure credible, peaceful and violence-free elections.
The commissioner said the 2027 elections should not be treated as a war but as a contest of ideas in which voters would determine their preferred leaders.
“We are gathered here today not as rivals but as custodians of Sokoto State’s future. The elections ahead are not a war to be won by force. They are a contest of ideas to be won by the will of the people,” he said.
Shafa identified five key areas of engagement with political parties: peaceful conduct, accountability, zero tolerance for violence and illegal activities, cooperation with security agencies, and recognition of the security challenges confronting the state.
He urged political leaders to discourage abusive campaigns, misinformation and character assassination, stressing that candidates should focus on presenting their policies and manifestos to voters.
“We must move from the politics of insult to politics of issues. There is no room for hate speech, fake news or character assassination,” he said.
The police commissioner also warned party leaders that they would be held accountable for the conduct of their supporters, including youth groups and social media influencers.
“If your supporters, be they youth wings or social media influencers, disturb the peace, we will hold you personally accountable. The days of looking the other way are over,” he warned.
Shafa further cautioned political parties against destroying campaign posters and banners, displaying weapons and using private security outfits during rallies. He said the police would enforce the Electoral Act 2022 without discrimination.
“The Nigerian Police Force will enforce the Electoral Act 2022 without fear or favour. If you break the law, you will face the consequences,” he said.
He called on political parties to share information about emerging threats and potential flashpoints with security agencies, describing election security as a collective responsibility.
The commissioner also warned politicians against exposing voters to danger in communities affected by banditry, particularly in Sabon Birni, Rabah, Kebbe, Tureta and Isa local government areas.
“Protect the voters, do not endanger them,” he said.
Responding, the Sokoto State APC Chairman, Haruna Adiya, said the party was prepared to comply with all laws governing the elections.
Adiya said the APC would sensitise its supporters on the need to maintain peace and obey electoral laws. He also pledged the party’s cooperation with the police command and expressed readiness to sign a proposed peace accord when presented.
The ADC State Vice Chairman, Isiaka Keegan, commended the police for organising the meeting and urged political and security leaders to act responsibly.
Keegan alleged that some politicians sponsor youths to disrupt the activities of their opponents, stressing that Sokoto State belongs to all citizens regardless of political affiliation.
He called for fairness in the enforcement of electoral regulations and urged political parties to support the police command in maintaining security.
The Labour Party chairman, Abubakar Yawale, blamed politicians for the persistence of electoral violence, alleging that some parties harbour political thugs.
Yawale claimed that some politicians also lobby for the release of suspected political thugs arrested by security agencies.
“Political area boys do not, in most cases, vote during elections, but they are used to snatch ballot boxes and commit other atrocities,” he said.
He urged political leaders to promote peace among their candidates and supporters and allow voters to freely choose their leaders.
Also speaking, the NDC Secretary, Bello Labaran, who represented the party chairman, called for greater involvement of other security agencies in election planning.
Labaran specifically advocated the inclusion of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service and Department of State Services in election security arrangements.
He also alleged selective enforcement of environmental regulations governing campaign posters and banners in Sokoto metropolis, claiming that opposition parties had been restricted from displaying campaign materials on major roads and roundabouts while similar materials belonging to the ruling APC were allegedly allowed.
“We want a situation where there is a free and fair place for every political party to play its role,” Labaran said.
He maintained that the NDC would pursue its political ambitions within the law while refusing to compromise its principles.
