The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, has called for stronger collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force to ensure a peaceful and credible 2027 general election.
Prof. Amupitan made the call on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, describing the engagement as timely as preparations for the next electoral cycle intensify.
“Your leadership at this crucial period is highly appreciated, and we are confident that your vast experience and dedication will greatly enhance our collective efforts towards ensuring a safe and secure electoral process,” he said.
The INEC chairman disclosed that the 2027 presidential election is scheduled for January 16, while governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.
“As we prepare for the election… I would like to formally inform you of our ongoing preparations and seek your invaluable support in ensuring a peaceful, transparent and credible elections, and this, I believe, is what Nigerians deserve at this time,” Amupitan stated.
He noted that political activities, including party congresses and preparations for primaries, are already underway, stressing that the electoral timetable also serves as a “security trigger.”
Prof. Amupitan further highlighted the upcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, scheduled for June 20 and August 15, 2026, respectively, alongside several by-elections across the country.
“These elections are crucial milestones in Nigerian democratic journey, and it is imperative that they are conducted peacefully and seamless,” he said.
He warned that insecurity, electoral malpractice and vote trading remain major threats, calling for proactive security strategies and intelligence-led planning.
“The scale of insecurity across the various parts of Nigeria presents a threat to the conduct of a fair election… it’s essential that we carry out thorough Security Risk Analysis ahead of the election,” he added.
The INEC chairman also stressed that internally displaced persons must not be disenfranchised, noting that arrangements are being made to ensure their participation.
Responding, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, described the visit as strategic and reaffirmed the commitment of the police to ensuring credible elections.
“This meeting is timely and strategic particularly as the nation gradually enters the preparatory phase for the January 2027 elections,” he said.
“I assure you that under the present leadership of Nigerian police force we will remain professional, impartial, firm and guided strictly by the constitution… The force have no interest other than ensuring peace, credible and violent free electoral process,” he added.
The IGP warned that any officer found engaging in partisan conduct would face disciplinary and legal consequences.
He also disclosed that the police had commenced nationwide threat assessments, identifying risks such as political violence, arms proliferation, misinformation and attacks on electoral infrastructure.
“We have commenced strategic threat assessment and intelligence mapping across the nation already… intelligence-led deployment and preventive policing strategies will be adopted to neutralise all these trends,” he said.
Both INEC and the police pledged continued collaboration, as preparations gather pace for the 2027 general elections.