The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have intensified preparations for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections through security assessments, improved logistics and voter mobilisation. The measures, announced in Abuja aim to prevent electoral violence, address transportation challenges and ensure that eligible Nigerians can vote freely and safely.
The police said they had commenced threat analysis to identify potential flashpoints and areas requiring additional security personnel before, during and after the elections. Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Nadada, represented by Assistant Inspector-General of Police Ako Gabriel, said the force was also training personnel and engaging political actors to strengthen election security.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Council of the Wise and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, urged the police to improve early-warning systems and caution political candidates whose statements could incite violence. He also stressed the need for security personnel to remain neutral while protecting voters, electoral officials and election materials. The council expressed concern over violence that followed previous elections, particularly the 2011 general elections.
Minister of Defence Christopher Musa also assured Nigerians that security agencies would remain professional and politically neutral during the polls. Speaking after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, Musa said the government was committed to protecting voters from intimidation.
“We are determined to ensure that we provide safety and security for all Nigerians. Everyone should come out and vote, vote for whoever they want,” he said.
INEC Strengthens Logistics and Election Preparations
In a separate development, INEC inaugurated a logistics committee to address transportation challenges and ensure the timely distribution of election materials, particularly in remote and security-threatened areas.
The committee, chaired by National Commissioner, retired Rear Admiral Jamila Abubakar-Sadiq, will coordinate the movement of sensitive and non-sensitive materials by road, air and sea. Its responsibilities include assessing storage facilities, transportation networks and security risks that could disrupt election operations.
INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan said effective logistics was essential to credible elections, stressing that no Nigerian should be disenfranchised because of the late arrival of election materials.
Amupitan also disclosed that the commission had completed 10 of the 14 activities on its election timetable. He said INEC had digitised candidate nominations, begun assessing its facilities nationwide, procured additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines and upgraded its cybersecurity infrastructure to protect electoral data.
NOA Mobilises Voters Against Electoral Violence
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has launched a nationwide grassroots campaign to discourage voter apathy, vote buying and electoral violence. The agency plans to deploy mobilisation officers across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas, using community dialogues, radio programmes, local languages and digital platforms to educate voters.
Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris urged Nigerians to participate peacefully, describing elections as an opportunity for citizens to influence the direction of their communities and country.
“An election is more than a day at the polling unit. It is an opportunity for citizens to decide who represents them and to influence the direction of their communities and country,” he said.
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The campaign will involve collaboration with INEC, security agencies, political parties, civil society organisations and community leaders to promote peaceful participation and provide verified electoral information.
