Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, on Friday called for stronger inter-agency security coordination as Nigeria enters what he described as a demanding electoral season ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking in Abuja at the first regular meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES, for 2026, Amupitan said the country’s election management body would require robust security support to successfully conduct a series of elections scheduled throughout the year.
The INEC chairman noted that 2026 presents an intense electoral calendar, including Area Council elections, bye-elections, and off-cycle governorship polls.
He stressed that the rising tempo of electoral activities places a heavy responsibility on security agencies to intensify planning, intelligence gathering, deployment, and collaboration to guarantee safe and credible elections nationwide.
While reflecting on recent experiences, Amupitan commended security agencies for their role in ensuring a peaceful conduct of the Anambra State off-cycle governorship election held on November 8, 2025, barely two weeks after he assumed office.
He said given the history of election-related security concerns in the state, expectations were cautious, but the professionalism and coordinated efforts of security personnel helped secure voters, election officials, materials, and infrastructure, enabling the Commission to conclude the process successfully.
According to him, the peaceful conduct of the poll allowed the commission to declare a winner on the first ballot, marking a notable improvement over past electoral experiences in the state.
The INEC chairman also turned attention to the upcoming Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Area Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026.
He disclosed that the election will involve 1,680,315 registered voters across 2,822 polling units spread across the six Area Councils of the FCT.
As campaigns wind down, he urged security agencies to ensure strict enforcement of electoral laws, prevent political violence, check vote buying, and guarantee the safety of voters, election officials, and election materials.
Amupitan stated that INEC has concluded major logistical and administrative preparations for the polls, including distribution of non-sensitive materials to Area Councils and training of Electoral Officers and election security personnel.
He added that training of ad-hoc staff, commenced on February 6 and will conclude on February 15.
He further disclosed that BVAS machines are currently being configured, while sensitive materials will be transported under tight security ahead of election day.
To test operational readiness, the Commission will conduct a mock accreditation exercise on February 7 in 289 selected polling units across the six Area Councils, with details to be published on INEC’s website.
Despite these preparations, Amupitan cautioned that administrative readiness alone cannot guarantee credible elections without strong security coordination, urging agencies to maintain constant communication and rapid response mechanisms, especially in identified flashpoints.
He also noted that bye-elections will be conducted on the same day as the FCT polls in Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies in Rivers State, as well as Kano Municipal and Ungogo State Constituencies in Kano State.
He said conducting elections simultaneously in multiple states, he said, further underscores the need for heightened vigilance, adequate manpower deployment, and seamless cooperation among security agencies.
Looking ahead, the INEC chairman announced that preparations are already underway for the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for June 20, 2026, and the Osun State governorship election slated for August 8, 2026.
He emphasised that early security planning would be critical to preventing avoidable challenges and ensuring peaceful electoral outcomes in both states.
Amupitan added that public expectations are already rising as preparations gradually begin for the 2027 General Election, noting that while INEC has finalised its timetable in line with the law, the success of the elections will largely depend on sustained security engagement.
He revealed that the Commission will soon commence a nationwide voter revalidation exercise aimed at strengthening the voter register ahead of 2027, alongside the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration programme.
Such activities, he said, will require adequate security support to safeguard facilities, election personnel, and citizens, particularly in areas prone to disruptions.
He urged all security agencies to remain professional, neutral, and proactive, stressing that the credibility of Nigeria’s elections and democracy depends significantly on the ability of institutions to secure the electoral process from start to finish.
Amupitan called on members of ICCES to remain united and vigilant as the country navigates what promises to be a busy and crucial electoral year.
Speaking on behalf of the National Security Adviser, NSA, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the Director of Internal Security at the Office of the National Security Adviser, Hassan Abdullahi, congratulated the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on the successful conduct of the Anambra State governorship election held on November 8, 2025.
He also commended security and law enforcement agencies for what he described as their outstanding performance during the election.
According to him, the successful conduct of the Anambra gubernatorial election demonstrates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring free, credible and violence-free elections, setting a positive standard for future polls, particularly as the country prepares for upcoming electoral activities.
He noted that the forthcoming elections include Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory and bye-elections in Ahoada East II and Khana II State constituencies in Rivers State, as well as Kano Municipal and Ungogo State constituencies in Kano State, all scheduled for February 21, 2026.
Abdullahi stated that as preparations intensify for the upcoming elections, the Nigeria Police Force, designated as the lead agency for election security, is collaborating with other security agencies to mobilise resources and implement measures aimed at preventing any disruption to the electoral process.
He noted that adequate security personnel would be deployed to polling units and identified high-risk areas.
He added that individuals or groups intending to foment trouble, including political thugs and violent actors, would be identified and restrained, while vote-buying activities would be tracked and offenders brought to justice.
Political parties, candidates and their supporters were therefore urged to conduct themselves responsibly and uphold democratic principles, warning that any violation of electoral laws would be met with appropriate sanctions.
