2027: Group launches initiative to prevent violence in Niger Delta

The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) has launched an initiative to prevent election-related violence in 24 local government areas (LGAs) across Akwa Ibom, Delta and Rivers states ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

The initiative will use early-warning systems, community-based peacebuilding, media engagement, and coordinated responses to identify potential threats and prevent conflicts from escalating.

PIND announced the initiative at a project launch and signing ceremony in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, where it signed Memoranda of Agreement with three civil society organisations to coordinate implementation across the states.

The partner organisations are Youth for Change Initiative in Akwa Ibom, One Love Community Development and Promotion of Peace Initiative in Delta, and Community Resource Development Foundation in Rivers.

Speaking on behalf of PIND’s Executive Director, Sam Daibo, the organisation’s Peacebuilding Programme Manager, David Udofia, said efforts to prevent election violence must begin long before election day.

“Election violence is rarely an isolated event; warning signs often emerge long before voting begins. This initiative will help communities and institutions identify those signals early, share reliable information and coordinate action before tensions escalate into violence,” Mr Udofia said.

He said the project was non-partisan and aimed to protect lives, strengthen peaceful civic participation and support credible electoral processes through local participation, responsible communication and evidence-based responses.

How the initiative will work

According to PIND, the project will strengthen its Integrated Peace and Development Unit (IPDU) conflict early-warning platform by expanding community reporting networks, improving the verification and analysis of incidents, and providing actionable information to peacebuilding organisations, electoral institutions, security agencies and other stakeholders.

The initiative will also support election-violence scenario planning, mediation, dialogue, stakeholder forums, advocacy and peace messaging.

PIND said it planned to engage 15 radio and television stations, alongside digital platforms, to promote conflict-sensitive reporting, counter misinformation and disinformation, and discourage inflammatory narratives that could heighten political tensions.

The intervention will involve community leaders, women and youth groups, civil society organisations, media practitioners, electoral institutions and security agencies.

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Targeted local government areas

In Akwa Ibom, the project will cover Uyo, Ibeno, Ibesikpo Asutan, Esit Eket, Nsit Ubium, Abak, Ini and Etim Ekpo.

In Delta, the targeted areas are Warri North, Warri South, Warri South-West, Ethiope East, Uvwie, Udu, Ughelli North and Ughelli South.

In Rivers, the initiative will cover Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre, Khana, Eleme, Asari-Toru, Ahoada East and Andoni.

PIND said the states and local government areas were selected based on evidence from its Peace Map and other credible sources, including historical patterns of electoral violence and emerging political and conflict dynamics.