INEC, NPC Partner For Peaceful Conduct Of FCT Elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC and the National Peace Committee NPC have forged a strategic partnership to strengthen election security and promote peaceful conduct ahead of the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory Area Council election.

The renewed collaboration was affirmed in Abuja when members of the National Peace Committee paid a visit to the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan and top management staff.

Welcoming the delegation, Prof. Amupitan described the visit as timely, noting that the Commission had in the past week concluded a series of engagements with key stakeholders, including security agencies, political parties, civil society organisations and the media, as part of final preparations for the FCT election.

He emphasised that, beyond the immediate election, 2026 remains a critical preparatory period for the 2027 General Election, underscoring the importance of proactive collaboration to manage emerging security risks.

“We regard 2026 as our preparatory year for the 2027 General Election.”

“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 Hub to complement institutional efforts at conflict prevention and electoral risk mitigation.

He noted that the Committee’s evidence-based security analysis of the FCT, particularly its identification of potential flashpoints in AMAC, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Bwari Area Councils, would be carefully studied and factored into ongoing security coordination.

He assured the delegation that the Commission would share relevant insights with security agencies to enable preventive and responsive measures.

“Just last week, we charged the Nigeria Police Force, the EFCC and the ICPC to be on guard against vote buying and related offences.”

“The evidence-based information presented will guide necessary steps to enhance the integrity of the electoral process.”

While stressing that not all security details can be made public, the Chairman expressed readiness to deepen information-sharing mechanisms with the Committee under appropriate confidentiality arrangements, noting that both institutions are pursuing the same objective of peaceful, credible elections.

Earlier, the Executive Director of the Kukah Centre and Head of Secretariat of the National Peace Committee, Reverend. Father Atta Barkindo, conveyed the goodwill of the Committee’s Chairman, former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, and its Convener, Bishop Hassan Kukah.

He assured the Commission of the Committee’s readiness to provide strategic guidance and support not only the FCT election but also for forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States, as well as preparations for the 2027 General Election.

Reverend Father Barkindo disclosed that the Committee’s Election Security Information Hub, launched last year, has established networks across the country to collect and analyse data on insecurity, violence and conflict trends, both election-related and those capable of impacting the electoral process.

According to him, the objective is to ensure that all interventions undertaken by the Committee are guided strictly by data and evidence, rather than sentiment or partisan considerations.