INEC to behave on NPC Safety Advisory, intensifies measures in opposition to vote shopping for forward of FCT polls

The Chairman of the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee, Joash Amupitan, SAN, has assured the Nationwide Peace Committee that the Fee will take fast steps to behave on safety intelligence and danger assessments offered forward of the Federal Capital Territory Space Council Elections scheduled for twenty first February 2026.

Amupitan gave the reassurance on Tuesday on the Fee’s Headquarters in Abuja whereas receiving a delegation of the Nationwide Peace Committee led by the Head of its Secretariat, Rev. Fr. Atta Barkindo.

Describing the presentation by the Committee as well timed and worthwhile, the INEC Chairman mentioned the data offered could be fastidiously reviewed and shared with related safety companies for obligatory motion.

“You’ve offered to us a really nice piece of knowledge. We’re not going to take it as a right. We’re going to be sharing this with our safety division in order that we will no less than take this info and take obligatory steps that we’re imagined to take,” he mentioned.

He particularly famous that the Abuja Municipal Space Council would obtain “particular scrutiny and a focus,” alongside Bwari and Kuje Space Councils, primarily based on the considerations raised.

On the problem of vote shopping for, Amupitan reaffirmed the Fee’s resolve to curb the menace, revealing that related legislation enforcement and anti-corruption companies have been positioned on alert.

“We particularly charged the Nigeria Police, the EFCC, and likewise the ICPC to be on guard in order that we will arrest the menace of vote shopping for and what some individuals name ‘vote buying and selling’,” he acknowledged.

The Chairman additional described the Peace Accord as a social contract that binds political actors to peaceable conduct and acceptance of election outcomes. He famous that actions in 2026 are vital to the Fee’s broader preparations for the 2027 Common Election.

“We regard 2026 as our preparatory 12 months for the 2027 basic election,” he added.

Earlier, Rev. Fr. Barkindo conveyed the goodwill of the Chairman of the Nationwide Peace Committee, Common Abdulsalami Abubakar, and the Convener, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah. He apologised for the delay in formally participating with the brand new management of the Fee and pledged the Committee’s continued collaboration and strategic assist.

“We wish to guarantee the brand new INEC Chairman that the Nationwide Peace Committee is obtainable, open and accessible to working with the Fee—guaranteeing that the elections that can occur, the Space Council elections, the governorship elections, future state elections, forward of the 2027 basic elections—we’re absolutely behind the Fee to offer the Fee all the mandatory assist and strategic steering that can be required,” he mentioned.

Rev. Fr. Barkindo disclosed that the Committee’s Election Safety and Data Hub, launched final 12 months, has developed networks and subject brokers throughout the states to collect information on insecurity, violence and battle traits. He emphasised that the Committee’s interventions are evidence-based and guided strictly by verified information slightly than sentiment or partisan issues.

Offering additional perception, the Venture Supervisor at The Kukah Centre offered an in depth hotspot evaluation figuring out AMAC, Gwagwalada, Bwari and Kuje Space Councils as requiring heightened vigilance.

In line with the Committee’s findings, AMAC recorded excessive tendencies for vote shopping for and threats amongst political actors. Gwagwalada was flagged over indigene-settler tensions and a historical past of political thuggery, with particular reference to Jiwa neighborhood.

Bwari Space Council was described as notably delicate resulting from farmer-herder conflicts, kidnapping incidents and areas with restricted safety presence. Kwali, which shares boundaries with Kaduna and Niger States, was additionally recognized as weak as a result of safety scenario in adjoining states.

The Committee defined that its information assortment framework focuses on two streams: incidents of election-related violence which will happen earlier than Election Day however may have an effect on the electoral course of, and an electoral offence monitoring mechanism aligned with the provisions of the Peace Accord.