INEC, Peace Committee Align Strategies to Ensure Credible and Secure FCT Poll
Oru Leonard
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the National Peace Committee (NPC), have intensified collaboration to enhance security and ensure peaceful conduct of the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Area Council election in Nigeria.
The renewed partnership was reaffirmed on Wednesday at INEC Headquarters in Abuja when members of the National Peace Committee met with the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, alongside National Commissioners and senior management staff.
Prof. Amupitan described the visit as timely, noting that the Commission had concluded a series of high-level engagements with security agencies, political parties, civil society organisations and the media as part of final preparations for the FCT poll.
He stressed that beyond the immediate election, 2026 represents a crucial preparatory phase for the 2027 General Election.
“We regard 2026 as our preparatory year for the 2027 General Election,” Amupitan said. “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 conflict-prevention efforts. He said the Committee’s data-driven security assessment of the FCT, particularly its identification of potential flashpoints in AMAC, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Bwari Area Councils, would be factored into ongoing security coordination.
Amupitan acknowledged concerns over alleged threats among political actors, inter- and intra-party tensions, vote trading risks and security challenges in some communities. He disclosed that the Commission had recently charged the Nigeria Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to be vigilant against vote buying and related offences.
“The evidence-based information presented will guide necessary steps to enhance the integrity of the electoral process,” he said, adding that while some security details cannot be made public, the Commission is prepared to deepen information-sharing mechanisms with the Committee under appropriate confidentiality arrangements.
He also recalled the Committee’s role in facilitating peace accords ahead of previous elections, including the Anambra Governorship Election, describing such initiatives as vital social contracts that reinforce non-violence and acceptance of electoral outcomes.
Earlier, the 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 INEC of the Committee’s readiness to provide strategic support for the FCT election, upcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, and preparations toward the 2027 General Election.
Barkindo explained that the Committee’s Election Security Information Hub, launched last year, has built nationwide networks to collect and analyse data on insecurity, violence and conflict trends—both election-related and those capable of affecting the electoral process.
According to him, all interventions by the Committee are guided strictly by data and evidence rather than sentiment or partisan considerations.
In a presentation, the Project Manager of the Kukah Centre, Ms. Asabe, described the FCT election as a “mirror” through which Nigerians would assess preparations for 2027.
She said the ESI Hub has tracked incidents under two categories since June last year: election-related violence and an Electoral Offences Tracking System aligned with constitutional provisions, the Electoral Act and peace accord principles.
Asabe identified AMAC as having a high concentration of reported security incidents and potential vote trading risks. Gwagwalada faces indigene-settler tensions and party disputes, while Bwari is grappling with candidate legitimacy issues and security spillovers from neighbouring states.
Kuje, she added, presents complex challenges, including farmer-herder conflicts, kidnapping incidents, limited security presence in some communities and telecommunications gaps in remote areas.
She, however, expressed optimism that with coordinated action among stakeholders, the FCT election would be conducted peacefully and credibly.
