INEC Chair Warns Insecurity Threatens Upcoming Elections

On Wednesday, Prof. Joash Amupitan, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), expressed concerns regarding the escalating insecurity in Nigeria, which he stated threatens the conduct of credible elections. During a visit to Inspector General of Police Tunji Disu in Abuja, Amupitan highlighted that violence and threats to the electoral process could undermine the integrity of the polls if not properly addressed.

He noted that the next presidential elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, and the governorship elections for February 6, 2027. Amupitan called for strong collaboration between INEC and security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police, to ensure the safety of voters and electoral officials.

He also mentioned the importance of identifying potential flashpoints and deploying appropriate strategies to mitigate risks. Furthermore, he drew attention to the humanitarian concerns regarding internally displaced persons (IDPs) and emphasized that they should not be disenfranchised.

The Inspector General of Police assured that intelligence-led strategies would be implemented to prevent political violence and ensure the enforcement of electoral laws.