The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has identified insecurity as a major threat to the January and February 2027 general elections in Nigeria. INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, stated this in Owerri, Imo State capital, at the sixth Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers. He emphasized that the commission would work closely with the police to prevent insecurity from disenfranchising eligible voters.
Amupitan highlighted logistical challenges and inadequate funding for the lead security agency as potential crisis areas if not addressed. He stressed the need for adequate funding, professional police neutrality, and effective coordination through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES). The INEC chairman also noted that vote-buying had moved away from polling units, requiring intelligence gathering to prevent the buying and selling of votes.
The INEC chairman pledged to make the 2027 elections credible, free, and fair. He explained that after conducting five off-cycle elections, including the November 2025 Anambra State governorship election and recent legislative by-elections, INEC had learned valuable lessons to ensure credible elections in 2027. Amupitan emphasized that stronger coordination among security agencies would be required ahead of the 2027 elections.
Amupitan said INEC was working with the police, the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), and other security agencies to develop strategies for conducting elections in volatile areas. He noted that ICCES provides a platform for INEC, security, and government agencies to coordinate election security at the federal, state, and local government levels. The mechanism has evolved into a structured system, with the Inspector-General of Police participating at the national level.
The INEC chairman also stressed that politicians were adopting new methods of vote-buying, while some Nigerians remained willing to sell their votes. He said many instances of vote-buying no longer occurred at polling units, making intelligence gathering critical to detecting and stopping the practice. INEC is working towards a broader task force involving the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the AGF's office, ICCES, and law enforcement agencies.
On disputes arising from political party primaries, Amupitan said matters within the jurisdiction of the courts would have to be resolved through litigation. He noted that the Electoral Act is clear that disputes over primaries are for the courts to determine, including, where necessary, up to the Supreme Court. However, he said such disputes would not necessarily prevent INEC from conducting elections because elections are contested by political parties rather than individual candidates.
Amupitan also emphasized the need for adequate funding to provide the security, personnel, and logistics required for credible elections. He noted that INEC's funding is constitutionally provided as a first-line charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, but its responsibilities require sustained financial support. The commission conducts presidential, National Assembly, governorship, and State House of Assembly elections, in addition to voter registration and the registration and monitoring of political parties.
Key points
- Insecurity is a major threat to the 2027 general elections in Nigeria.
- INEC is working with the police and other security agencies to develop strategies for conducting elections in volatile areas.
- Adequate funding is critical to providing the security, personnel, and logistics required for credible elections.
