The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Akwa Ibom State, Prof. Anugbum Onuoha, has warned political parties against engaging in activities that could breach the Electoral Act as preparations begin for candidate nominations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during his first media briefing in Uyo, Prof. Onuoha urged political stakeholders to uphold transparency, integrity, and fairness throughout the electoral process.
Key Highlights:
He stressed that political parties must ensure that their primaries and related activities comply substantially with electoral guidelines to guarantee credible and widely accepted outcomes.
According to the him, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remains committed to conducting credible elections, perfection in any electoral process cannot be guaranteed.
“Only God can guarantee a 100 percent free, fair and transparent exercise,” he stated.
Prof. Onuoha called on the media, civil society organisations, political parties, and voters to play active roles in protecting the integrity of the electoral system.
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He also warned against premature political campaigns, noting that any political activity conducted outside the official timetable would attract sanctions in line with the Electoral Act.
“Any form of early campaigning in violation of the Electoral Act would not be tolerated by the commission,” he warned.
The resident electoral commissioner advised political actors to operate strictly within the provisions of the law to ensure peaceful, orderly, and credible elections.
He further assured that INEC would continue collaborating with stakeholders to strengthen voter education, public enlightenment, and confidence in the electoral process.
Prof. Onuoha also appealed to journalists to uphold professionalism and accuracy in their reporting, describing the media as a vital partner in promoting electoral transparency.
