Abuja, Nigeria – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on security agencies to intensify planning, deployment, intelligence gathering, and inter-agency coordination ahead of the FCT area council elections and by-elections in Rivers and Kano States scheduled for February 21, 2026.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, made the call during the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Friday.
Focus on Safety, Intelligence, and Coordination
Amupitan emphasized that early planning and intelligence are critical to ensuring free, fair, and credible elections.
“As campaigns draw to a close on Thursday, February 19, we look to security agencies to ensure strict enforcement of the law, prevent the use of thugs, curb vote buying, and guarantee the safety of voters and election personnel on election day,” he said.
The INEC chairman urged security agencies to maintain constant communication, rapid response mechanisms, and professionalism, particularly at known flashpoints.
He cited the recent Anambra off-cycle governorship election as an example, noting that the professionalism of security agencies ensured the election concluded peacefully, with a winner declared on the first ballot despite past challenges in the state.
Preparation for 2027 General Elections
Amupitan also highlighted the importance of heightened vigilance as multiple elections are conducted simultaneously in different states, stressing that adequate manpower and seamless inter-agency cooperation are essential.
“Conducting multiple elections simultaneously across different states reinforces the need for heightened vigilance, adequate manpower deployment, and seamless inter-agency cooperation,” he said.
The INEC chairman further called for early and sustained security planning for the upcoming Ekiti and Osun governorship elections and the 2027 general elections, stressing that citizens must feel safe to participate for elections to be credible.
Voter Revalidation Exercise Ahead of 2027
INEC will soon launch a nationwide voter revalidation exercise to further sanitize the national register, alongside the ongoing continuous voter registration, which will require security support to protect facilities, personnel, and citizens, especially in areas prone to disruption.
“Elections succeed when institutions work in harmony. INEC will continue to rely on your professionalism, neutrality, and commitment to duty. The credibility of our elections, and indeed our democracy, depends largely on your ability to secure the electoral process from start to finish,” Amupitan said.
He urged security agencies to remain vigilant, proactive, and united in purpose as Nigeria navigates a demanding electoral year.
