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From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that the evolving security landscape in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, ahead of the forthcoming Area Council elections, poses both challenges and opportunities.
Commission Chairman Joash Ojo Amupitan made the disclosure when he received in audience a delegation of the National Peace Committee for Strategic Partnership at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
Amupitan further noted that the security landscape also highlighted the necessity for collaboration among all stakeholders.
He said: “We have noted the objectives of the National Peace Committee, which are to promote peaceful elections, mitigate electoral conflict and safeguard our democratic processes. This resonates deeply with the mission of INEC.”
“As we prepare for these elections, especially the Area Council election, the responsibility we share in maintaining peace and security during this period is paramount. The evolving security landscape in the FCT presents both challenges and opportunities, highlighting the necessity for collaboration among all stakeholders,” he said.
“We regard 2026 as our preparatory year for the 2027 general election. 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,” he said.
While acknowledging concerns raised over alleged threats among political actors, inter- and intra-party tensions, vote-trading risks and the broader security challenges in certain communities, he assured the delegation that the commission will share relevant insights with security agencies to enable preventive and responsive measures.
“Just last week, we charged the Nigeria Police Force, the EFCC and the ICPC to be on guard against vote buying and related offences,” he said, adding: “the evidence-based information presented will guide necessary steps to enhance the integrity of the electoral process.”
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Speaking earlier, Executive Director of the Kukah Centre and Head of Secretariat of the National Peace Committee, Rev Fr Atta Barkindo, conveyed the goodwill of the Committee’s Chairman, former Head of State, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), and its Convener, Bishop Hassan Kukah.
He assured the commission of the Committee’s readiness to provide strategic guidance and support not only for the FCT election but also for forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, as well as preparations for the 2027 general election.
Rev Fr Barkindo disclosed that the Committee’s Election Security Information (ESI) 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.
He said that 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, the Project Manager of the Kukah Centre, Ms Asabe, described the FCT election as a “mirror” through which Nigerians would assess preparations for the 2027 general election.
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.
While 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.
She 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.
