Insecurity Threatens Credible Elections, INEC Warns Ahead of 2027 Polls
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has warned that rising insecurity across Nigeria could jeopardise the conduct of free, fair and credible elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan raised the concern on Wednesday during a visit to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, in Abuja as part of preparations for the upcoming polls.
According to the INEC chairman, persistent violence, electoral malpractice, vote buying and security threats continue to weaken public confidence in the nation’s democratic process.
“In Nigeria, our electoral system has faced numerous challenges over the years, ranging from malpractices to threats of violence and vote trading that undermine the confidence of the electorate,” he said.
He stressed that the growing insecurity in different parts of the country remains a major threat to peaceful elections, calling for proactive collaboration between security agencies and electoral stakeholders.
Amupitan noted that political activities such as party congresses and primaries under the Electoral Act 2026 have further increased the need for comprehensive security planning.
He also referenced the forthcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti State and Osun State, as well as pending by-elections across the country, describing them as critical tests for Nigeria’s democracy.
The INEC chairman added that the commission was making efforts to ensure that internally displaced persons and people living with disabilities are not excluded from the electoral process.
Responding, the Inspector-General of Police pledged strong collaboration with INEC to guarantee peaceful and credible elections nationwide.
Disu described the meeting as timely and disclosed that the police had already activated measures aimed at tackling political violence and electoral malpractice ahead of future elections.
