INEC, National Peace Committee partner for election security ahead of FCT Council polls

*The Independent National Electoral Commission and National Peace Committee strengthen strategic partnership to advance election security and promote peaceful conduct ahead the upcoming Federal Capital Territory Area Council election

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Peace Committee (NPC) have forged a strategic partnership to strengthen election security and promote peaceful conduct ahead of the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.

The renewed collaboration emerged Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja when members of the National Peace Committee paid a visit to Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, Chairman of INEC alongside National Commissioners, technical aides, and top Management staff of the Commission.

NAFDAC and rumblings over enforcement of ban on sachet alcohol drinks

Prof. Amupitan, while welcoming the NPC delegation, described the visit as timely.

The Chairman of INEC noted that the Commission, recently concluded a series of engagements with key stakeholders, including security agencies, political parties, civil society organisations, and the media as part of final preparations for the forthcoming FCT polls.

READ ALSO: Tinubu Lauds Bank Of Industry For N636bn Disbursements To Businesses, Boosting Economy

Chain Reactions Reaffirms PR Leadership With 10 SABRE Nominations, Gold Win

Dangote Refinery: Crude Distillation Unit, MS Block Hit 650,000 bpd Capacity, Say Management

He emphasised that, beyond the immediate election, 2026 remains a critical preparatory period for the 2027 General Elections.

Amupitan also underscored the importance of proactive collaboration to manage emerging security risks in the FCT.

He further stated: “We regard 2026 as our preparatory year for the 2027 General Elections.

“The responsibility we share in maintaining peace and security during this period is paramount. “With proactive and strategic partnership, we can create an environment conducive to safe and credible elections.”

The INEC Chairman commended the National Peace Committee for establishing an Election Security Information (ESI) Hub to complement institutional efforts at conflict prevention and electoral risk mitigation.

The Commission equally observed that the Committee’s evidence-based security analysis of the FCT, particularly its identification of potential flashpoints in AMAC, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Bwari Area Councils, would be carefully studied and factored into ongoing security coordination.

Prof. Amupitan acknowledged concerns raised over alleged threats among political actors, inter- and intra-party tensions, vote trading risks, and the broader security challenges in certain communities.

Amupitan as well assured the NPC delegation that INEC would share relevant insights with security agencies to enable preventive and responsive measures.

The Chairman said: “Just last week, we charged the Nigeria Police Force, the EFCC and the ICPC to be on guard against vote buying and related offences.

“The evidence-based information presented will guide necessary steps to enhance the integrity of the electoral process.”

Explaining that not all security details could be made public, Amupitan however, expressed readiness to deepen information-sharing mechanisms with the Committee under appropriate confidentiality arrangements.

Both institutions, he noted, are pursuing the same objective of peaceful, credible elections.

Amupitan also recalled the Committee’s role in facilitating peace accords ahead of previous elections, including the Anambra Governorship Election.

The Chairman of INEC, therefore, described such engagements as a social contract that reinforces political actors’ commitment to non-violence and acceptance of electoral outcomes.

Earlier, Rev. Fr. Atta Barkindo, Executive Director of the Kukah Centre and Head of Secretariat of the National Peace Committee, had conveyed the goodwill of the Committee’s Chairman, former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd.), and its Convener, Bishop Hassan Kukah.

Rev. Fr. Barkindo assured the Commission of the Committee’s readiness to provide strategic guidance and support not only for the FCT elections but also for forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States, as well as preparations for the 2027 General Elections.

He also disclosed that the Committee’s Election Security Information Hub, launched last year, has established networks across the country to collect and analyse data on insecurity, violence and conflict trends, both election-related and those capable of impacting the electoral process.

According to him, the objective is to ensure that all interventions undertaken by the Committee are guided strictly by data and evidence, rather than sentiment or partisan considerations.

In a detailed presentation, Ms. Asabe, Project Manager of the Kukah Centre, described the FCT election as a “mirror” through which Nigerians would assess preparations for the 2027 General Elections.

She explained that the ESI Hub has, since June last year, tracked incidents under two broad categories: election-related violence and an Electoral Offences Tracking System aligned with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the principles underpinning peace accords.

Highlighting specific areas of concern, she identified AMAC as having a high concentration of reported security incidents and potential vote trading risks.

Gwagwalada was flagged for indigene-settler tensions and party disputes, while Bwari faces disputes over candidate legitimacy and security spillovers from neighbouring states.

Kuje, she noted, presents complex challenges, including reported farmer-herder conflicts, kidnapping incidents, limited security presence in certain communities, and telecommunications gaps in remote areas.

Ms. Asabe, expressed optimism that with coordinated action among stakeholders, the FCT election would be conducted peacefully and credibly, while also seeking continued collaboration with the Commission in sharing relevant monitoring insights.

Kindly Share This Story