By Isaac Mission
The Ebonyi South Youth Assembly (ESYA) has appealed to political parties participating in the 2027 general elections to conduct their campaigns peacefully and avoid actions capable of disrupting the existing peace in Ebonyi State.
The group made the call in a statement issued in Abakaliki at the weekend and signed by its National President, Comrade Odii Njoku. It urged political actors and their supporters to respect the rules governing political campaigns and place the safety of residents above partisan interests.
According to the organisation, the peaceful atmosphere currently enjoyed in the state should be protected throughout the electioneering period.
ESYA attributed the relative peace in Ebonyi to the efforts of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, saying his administration had continued to promote unity and stability across the state.
The group also commended the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, for what it described as his peaceful coordination of the party, particularly during the recently concluded local government elections.
The youth body said the council elections demonstrated that political activities could be conducted without violence, expressing optimism that the same approach would be maintained during the 2027 elections.
It consequently called on other political parties in the state to adopt a similar approach and make peace and responsible political engagement central to their campaigns.
The statement further advised candidates, especially those seeking office for the first time, to focus their campaigns on policies, programmes and the issues affecting the people rather than personal attacks or inflammatory rhetoric.
The organisation also noted that Governor Nwifuru would be seeking re-election and said his administration's achievements should be the basis upon which voters assess his performance.
“Political parties should not allow their supporters to take laws into their own hands or engage in activities capable of undermining the peace of the state,” the group said.
ESYA warned that it would pursue lawful measures against any political party whose supporters become involved in violent activities during the campaign period.
The group maintained that peace remains essential to the continued development of Ebonyi State, stressing that political competition should not come at the expense of lives, property and social stability.
It therefore reiterated its call for all political parties and their supporters to emulate what it described as the peaceful conduct witnessed during the recent council elections and work towards ensuring a violence-free 2027 electoral process.
