RismadarVoice Reporters
October 30, 2026
The Youth for Change and Social Life Development Foundation (YOFCI) has announced a peacebuilding initiative aimed at preventing election-related violence in eight local government areas of Akwa Ibom State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The initiative is being implemented in partnership with the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), as part of a broader regional programme promoting peaceful and inclusive electoral participation.
Speaking during a press briefing in Uyo on Friday, October 30, YOFCI Executive Director, Joy Ubong, said the intervention would strengthen community engagement, early warning mechanisms and coordinated responses to potential electoral threats.
According to Ubong, the project, which commenced on September 10, 2026, is scheduled to continue until February 9, 2027.
She identified the targeted local government areas as Uyo, Ibesikpo Asutan, Nsit Ubium, Ini, Etim Ekpo, Abak, Esit Eket and Ibeno.
Ubong explained that the intervention was informed by experiences from previous election cycles, particularly the 2015, 2019 and 2023 general elections, alongside conflict-monitoring information generated through PIND’s Early Warning and Early Response system.
She identified political rivalry, misinformation, youth manipulation and community tensions as factors capable of contributing to electoral violence.
As part of the programme, YOFCI plans to establish or strengthen eight Community Stakeholder Networks and train 40 community-based election peace monitors.
The monitors will reportedly be connected to PIND’s early warning platform to identify emerging threats, document incidents and facilitate appropriate responses.
Other activities include stakeholder consultations, advocacy visits to security agencies and electoral institutions, community dialogue and a proposed state-level peace accord.
The organisation also plans to use radio, television and social media campaigns to discourage inflammatory political messages and promote responsible public communication.
Ubong emphasised that the initiative would operate on principles of political neutrality, gender inclusion, transparency and respect for human rights.
She called on traditional rulers, political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, youth groups and the media to support the intervention.
The Akwa Ibom programme forms part of PIND’s wider election violence prevention initiative covering 24 local government areas across Akwa Ibom, Delta and Rivers states.
The regional initiative combines community-based peacebuilding, conflict monitoring and stakeholder coordination to reduce the risk of violence before, during and after the 2027 elections.
