By Omoyeni Ojeifo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned that rising insecurity across parts of Nigeria could undermine preparations for the 2027 general elections if urgent measures are not taken.
Persecondnews reports that Prof. Joash Amupitan, the INEC Chairman, raised the concern on Wednesday in Abuja during a meeting with Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu as electoral preparations intensify nationwide.
He said the electoral system continues to face challenges such as violence, vote trading and other malpractices, which weaken public trust and pose wider risks to the democratic process.
Amupitan stressed that insecurity in several regions requires urgent attention and coordinated planning to safeguard the integrity of the elections.
“Early risk analysis would help identify flashpoints and guide security deployment because the scale of insecurity across the various parts of Nigeria presents a threat to the conduct of fair election,” he said.
He explained that stronger planning would ensure protection for voters, officials and election materials.
Amupitan further stressed that the 2027 upcoming general elections would require stronger collaboration between INEC and security agencies.
He further highlighted ongoing political activities such as party congresses, primaries under the Electoral Act 2026, and off-cycle elections in Ekiti and Osun states, saying these increase the urgency for proactive security planning.
On inclusion, he insisted that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and persons with disabilities must not be disenfranchised.
“Let me also state this, it is the right of those IDP camps scattered all over Nigeria to vote. It is their right and they must not be disenfranchised,” he said.
He added that measures were being put in place to ensure accessible voting for all eligible citizens.
IGP Disu, in response , assured INEC that the Force had already begun nationwide threat assessments and intelligence mapping ahead of the elections.
“The police will enforce electoral laws firmly and professionally,” he said, warning that offenders involved in ballot snatching, vote buying, voter intimidation and destruction of electoral materials would face arrest and prosecution.
Disu also stressed the importance of coordinated planning and early intelligence work.
“We will ensure that individuals involved in ballot snatching, vote buying, voter intimidation, destruction of electoral materials or attacks on officials will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” he added.
He further explained that the police would adopt intelligence-led deployment and preventive policing strategies to address emerging threats, including political violence, cyber interference and attacks on election infrastructure.
He added that special provisions had been integrated into operational plans to ensure IDPs and persons with disabilities are part of the electoral process.
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