Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has urged citizens and political stakeholders to reject ethnic and tribal sentiments capable of threatening the peace and unity of the state.
Eno made the appeal as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging residents to demonstrate maturity and protect the peaceful atmosphere for which the state is known.
The governor stressed that maintaining peace should not be left to the government alone, describing it as a collective responsibility requiring the cooperation of citizens, political leaders and other stakeholders.
He warned against narratives and actions capable of dividing the people along ethnic or tribal lines, particularly as political competition intensifies.
Eno also advocated issue-based political campaigns, urging candidates and their supporters to focus on ideas, policies and programmes rather than personal attacks, bitterness or divisive rhetoric.
The governor’s position comes amid increasing political activity across the country ahead of the 2027 elections, with parties and political actors beginning to position themselves for the contest.
He urged stakeholders to place the interests of Akwa Ibom above political differences and work together to preserve the state’s peace and unity.
Eno has repeatedly highlighted security and peaceful coexistence as important to the state’s development, with the Akwa Ibom Government describing the state as one of Nigeria’s peaceful states and stressing the need to maintain that environment.
