By Victoria Attah
With political activities already gathering momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has intensified consultations with security agencies, warning that rising insecurity, electoral violence and vote trading remain major threats to credible polls in Nigeria.
INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, made the position known during a strategic meeting with the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, in Abuja, where he formally requested stronger collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force ahead of the nationwide elections scheduled for January and February 2027.
Amupitan described security as the “first and last mile” of every electoral process, stressing that peaceful elections cannot be achieved without coordinated intelligence gathering, preventive policing and rapid response mechanisms.
According to him, INEC has already activated preparations for the 2027 elections, with presidential and National Assembly polls slated for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are expected to hold on February 6, 2027.
He noted that ongoing ward congresses, conventions and political mobilisation across parties indicate that the electoral cycle has fully commenced, warning that such activities often heighten political tension and security risks.
The INEC Chairman also pointed to upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, alongside pending bye-elections, as crucial tests for Nigeria’s democratic stability.
Amupitan raised concerns over persistent electoral offences, including voter intimidation, violence, manipulation and vote buying, saying such practices continue to weaken public trust in the democratic system.
“The scale of insecurity across various parts of the country presents a threat to free and fair elections,” he said, adding that early security risk assessments and coordinated planning would be necessary to prevent disruptions during the polls.
He further emphasised the importance of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), describing it as central to operational coordination during elections.
According to him, election security agencies must shift from reactive responses to intelligence-driven strategies capable of identifying flashpoints before crises erupt.
Responding, Disu assured INEC that the Nigeria Police Force would remain neutral and professional throughout the electoral process, pledging adequate protection for electoral officials, sensitive materials, collation centres and voters.
The police chief disclosed that nationwide intelligence mapping and threat assessments had already commenced to identify high-risk areas ahead of the elections.
He listed political violence, illegal arms proliferation, cyber manipulation, misinformation campaigns and attacks on electoral infrastructure among emerging threats security agencies are monitoring closely.
Disu warned that no political party or candidate would receive preferential treatment from the police, adding that officers found engaging in partisan conduct or unethical practices would face disciplinary measures and possible prosecution.
“We will enforce electoral laws firmly and professionally,” the IGP stated.
He also advocated early dissemination of the election timetable to allow adequate logistics planning, personnel training and inter-agency coordination.
The IGP revealed plans for joint security trainings, stakeholder engagements and peace accords involving political parties as part of efforts to reduce tension before, during and after the elections.
According to him, officers assigned to election duties would undergo specialised training on electoral security, human rights compliance, ethical conduct and crowd management.
The meeting signals growing concern among electoral stakeholders over Nigeria’s security climate ahead of the 2027 polls, as both INEC and the Police move to prevent a repeat of past electoral crises that undermined public confidence in the democratic process.
