The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Peace Committee (NPC) have renewed their strategic partnership to bolster election security and ensure peaceful polls ahead of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election.
The collaboration was reaffirmed on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at INEC Headquarters in Abuja. NPC members visited INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, along with National Commissioners, technical aides, and senior management.Prof. Amupitan welcomed the delegation, calling the visit timely amid INEC’s recent stakeholder engagements with security agencies, political parties, civil society, and media to prepare for the FCT election.
He stressed that 2026 serves as a key preparatory year for the 2027 General Election, making proactive partnerships essential to address security risks.“We regard 2026 as our preparatory year for the 2027 General Election,” the Chairman 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.”He praised the NPC’s Election Security Information (ESI) Hub for aiding conflict prevention and risk mitigation.
INEC will review the Hub’s evidence-based analysis of FCT flashpoints in AMAC, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Bwari Area Councils to inform security plans.
Prof. Amupitan addressed concerns over political threats, party tensions, vote trading, and community challenges, pledging to share insights with agencies like the Nigeria Police Force, EFCC, and ICPC.“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 noted.
“The evidence-based information presented will guide necessary steps to enhance the integrity of the electoral process.”While some security details remain confidential, he committed to deeper information-sharing with the NPC. He also highlighted the Committee’s past role in peace accords, such as for the Anambra Governorship Election, as vital social contracts promoting non-violence and result acceptance.
Earlier, Rev. Fr. Atta Barkindo, Executive Director of the Kukah Centre and NPC Secretariat Head, brought greetings from Chairman Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd.) and Convener Bishop Hassan Kukah. He pledged NPC support for the FCT election, upcoming Ekiti and Osun governorship polls, and 2027 preparations.The ESI Hub, launched last year, networks nationwide to track insecurity, violence, and conflicts—both electoral and process-impacting—using data over sentiment.
Project Manager Ms. Asabe called the FCT election a “mirror” for 2027 readiness. Since June 2025, the Hub has monitored election violence and offences under the Constitution, Electoral Act, and peace accord principles.Key concerns include AMAC’s high incident rates and vote-trading risks; Gwagwalada’s indigene-settler and party tensions; Bwari’s candidate disputes and cross-border spillovers; and Kuje’s farmer-herder clashes, kidnappings, sparse security, and telecom gaps. She urged coordinated action for a peaceful, credible vote and ongoing INEC collaboration.