The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has warned that rising insecurity across Nigeria poses a major threat to the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections. He made this known during a visit to the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, in Abuja, where both officials discussed preparations for the polls.

Amupitan highlighted longstanding challenges within Nigeria’s electoral system, including violence, vote buying, and other forms of malpractice, noting that these issues weaken public confidence and could endanger national stability if not urgently addressed. He stressed that the scale of insecurity in different parts of the country makes it critical for authorities to adopt proactive measures.

The INEC chairman called for comprehensive security planning, including detailed risk assessments to identify potential flashpoints. According to him, such preparations would enable security agencies to deploy effective strategies to protect voters, electoral officials, and the integrity of the process. He also pointed out that upcoming political activities, such as party congresses and primaries under the Electoral Act 2026, further increase the need for strong security coordination.

Amupitan noted that the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027, and the governorship and state assembly elections on February 6, 2027, would require close collaboration between INEC and security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force, which leads election security operations. He also described off-cycle elections in Ekiti and Osun, as well as pending by-elections, as key tests of Nigeria’s democracy.

He emphasized inclusivity, urging that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and persons with disabilities must not be excluded from voting. In response, the Inspector-General of Police assured readiness, stating that intelligence-led policing and nationwide threat assessments are already underway. He warned that electoral offenders, including those involved in violence, vote buying, and ballot snatching, would be arrested and prosecuted.

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