The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, has described security as the foundation of credible elections, calling it the “first and last mile” of the electoral process.

He made the remark during a courtesy visit to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, in Abuja, where he sought stronger collaboration between INEC and the Nigeria Police Force ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

Professor Amupitan said that preparations for the elections were already underway, with Presidential and National Assembly polls scheduled for January 16, 2027, while Governorship and State Assembly elections are fixed for February 6, 2027.

He noted that the release of the election timetable and ongoing political party activities, including ward congresses and conventions, have effectively activated the electoral process and heightened security concerns nationwide.

The INEC Chairman also pointed to upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States, as well as several bye-elections across the country, describing them as important tests for Nigeria’s democracy.

He warned that electoral malpractice, vote buying, political violence and insecurity remain major threats capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral system.

Professor Amupitan stressed the need for proactive policing, intelligence gathering and early risk assessments to identify potential flashpoints before the elections, and reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to working closely with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (CCES), describing it as central to ensuring the safety of voters, electoral personnel and materials during the polls.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu,in his remarks assured INEC of the Police Force’s readiness to provide adequate security before, during and after the elections.

He disclosed that nationwide intelligence mapping and threat assessments had already commenced, with concerns such as political violence, illegal arms proliferation, voter intimidation, cyber threats and attacks on electoral infrastructure identified as priority risks.

The IGP also pledged that the Police would remain professional, impartial and guided strictly by the Constitution and the Electoral Act, and warned that officers involved in partisan activities would face disciplinary action, while personnel assigned to election duties would undergo intensive training in electoral security management, human rights compliance and crowd control.

He further called for stronger inter-agency cooperation, joint trainings and sustained stakeholder engagements to guarantee peaceful and credible elections in 2027.