Follow Us on Google
From Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe and and Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned politicians and their supporters against violence ahead of the 2027 general election, seeking the intervention of traditional rulers to ensure peaceful campaigns, as the police disclosed that security agencies had identified potential electoral flashpoints in Kogi State.
INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, who sought the support of the Emir of Gombe, Abubakar Shehu Abubakar, yesterday, warned that collaboration with security agencies alone would not guarantee peaceful elections without the involvement of influential traditional institutions.
Similarly, the Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Shehu Wahab, warned political parties and candidates against thuggery, intimidation and destruction of campaign materials, as the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Bello Kankarofi, declared that security agencies were prepared to deal with threats to the electoral process.
Amupitan, who led a delegation of national commissioners, directors and other senior INEC officials to the Emir’s palace in Gombe, said traditional rulers must use their moral authority to discourage violence, promote tolerance and prevail on political leaders to respect opposing views.
“We also need your voice because your voice counts, not only in the North-East but in the whole of Nigeria,” Amupitan told the monarch.
He stressed that protecting voters, electoral officials and election infrastructure against attacks and intimidation was essential to credible elections, adding that the commission was intensifying consultations with stakeholders to prevent disruptions.
The INEC chairman reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to free, fair and peaceful elections, urging traditional institutions to complement the efforts of security agencies through grassroots mobilisation and peacebuilding.
Responding, the Emir assured INEC of the support of traditional rulers in Gombe State and the wider North-East, insisting that traditional institutions must remain non-partisan and discourage political divisions capable of threatening communal harmony.
He said monarchs would continue to use their influence and communication channels to promote peaceful political participation, mutual respect and tolerance among supporters of competing parties.
Other News
The Emir commended INEC’s preparations and expressed confidence that sustained engagement with traditional institutions and other stakeholders would contribute to credible elections.
Meanwhile, at a stakeholders’ meeting in Lokoja, the Kogi REC, Wahab, warned that INEC would not tolerate political thuggery, intimidation, disruption of opponents’ rallies or destruction of campaign materials.
He stressed that political competition was not a licence for criminality and that no ambition was worth the safety or lives of citizens.
Wahab urged party leaders and candidates to restrain their supporters, avoid inflammatory rhetoric and conduct issue-based campaigns, assuring them that INEC would provide a level playing field.
The warning was reinforced by the Commissioner of Police, Kankarofi, who disclosed that security agencies had identified and analysed potential threats and flashpoints across the state.
He warned political actors against electoral offences and assured stakeholders that the police and other security agencies were prepared to prevent violence and protect voters, candidates, electoral personnel and election materials before, during and after the polls.
Kankarofi urged parties to comply with electoral laws, warning that acts capable of disrupting campaigns or undermining public order would attract appropriate sanctions.
On preparations for the elections, Wahab disclosed that complaints concerning omitted candidates’ names and incorrect entries in their particulars had been forwarded to INEC’s national headquarters for review.
He said Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection was ongoing across the state’s 21 local government areas, while voter education, personnel training, recruitment of ad hoc staff and improvements to electoral facilities were progressing.
The REC urged political parties to register their polling agents early and cooperate with security agencies, stressing that peaceful elections required collective responsibility from political leaders, candidates, supporters and electoral stakeholders.
