The Rivers State Chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has called on politicians and other electoral stakeholders to shun violence and promote peaceful elections in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The state chairman of the PFN, Rev. Dr. Minaibi Dagogo Jack, made the call during a dialogue themed “Peaceful Elections: Sustainable Path for Economic Development,” held in Port Harcourt.
Jack said injustice in the electoral process could trigger violence, urging politicians, security agencies and electoral officials to uphold fairness and respect the rule of law.
He noted that Rivers State had experienced several crises linked to political activities, stressing that addressing injustice was essential to achieving lasting peace.
“Wise men today will tell you that when you see violence, there is injustice. And in order to get peace, you must bring back justice,” he said.
The PFN chairman warned electoral stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), against compromising their duties for financial inducements.
He said manipulating electoral processes or denying candidates a fair opportunity to participate could create tension and provoke violence.
“When somebody gives you money to do otherwise, you are creating injustice, suffocating somebody else, and you are also generating violence,” Jack said.
He further warned that electoral officials who deliberately influenced results or acted contrary to the law could contribute to unrest in affected communities.
“If you participate in negative activities other than what the law has provided, you are generating a situation where violence will erupt in that particular place,” he said.
Jack explained that the dialogue was aimed at finding solutions to recurring political violence in Rivers State and encouraging stakeholders to embrace fairness and peaceful participation in the electoral process.
The event, organised by Megalectrics, aimed to address Rivers State’s history of electoral violence and prevent a recurrence in 2027. It attracted political leaders, businesspeople, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, religious leaders and security personnel.
