Amupitan’s security concern: Opposition kicks against troop deployment for 2027 elections

 

New worries about the credibility of the 2027 general elections came up on Wednesday, with the Independent National Electoral Commission warning that growing insecurity across Nigeria could make it hard to hold free, fair, and credible polls.

But the opposition parties firmly rejected the idea of sending soldiers to polling stations, arguing that civil authorities should handle election security. The military plays a supporting, last-resort role in Nigeria’s elections, used mainly in high-risk scenarios, but controversial due to legal and political concerns.

The concerns arise amid heightened political activity, early alignments, and growing anxiety over the security environment ahead of the next election cycle.

INEC chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), raised the alarm during a visit to the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, in Abuja, where he emphasised that persistent violence and threats to electoral processes pose a significant risk to democratic stability.

He said, “In Nigeria, our electoral system has faced numerous challenges over the years, ranging from malpractices to threats of violence and vote trading that undermine the confidence of the electorate.

“These challenges not only affect the outcome of our elections, but also pose significant risks to our national security. Thus, it is imperative that we address these concerns with utmost seriousness and resolve. In this regard, I would like to emphasise the importance of proactive security measures.

“The scale of insecurity across the various parts of Nigeria presents a threat to the conduct of the fair election. We must carry out total security risk analysis ahead of the election, and this will enable us to identify potential flashpoints and deploy appropriate strategies to mitigate risks, thereby safeguarding voters, electoral officials and the integrity of the electoral process.”

Amupitan noted that with the presidential election slated for January 16, 2027, and governorship and state assembly polls fixed for February 6, strong collaboration between INEC and security agencies, particularly the police, which lead election security, was crucial.

He also pointed to ongoing party congresses, upcoming primaries under the Electoral Act 2026, and off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states as additional pressure points requiring proactive planning.

The INEC boss further drew attention to Internally Displaced Persons camps, insisting that displaced citizens must not be excluded from the electoral process.

“I also want to draw attention to several IDP camps that are scattered all over Nigeria. Let me say that it is their right to also vote, and they must not be disenfranchised.

“As the electoral body, we are doing everything to ensure that all those in IDP camps are given the conducive environment to exercise their franchise, and also the people with disabilities. So therefore, we commend all these people, categories of persons, persons in IDP camps, as well as persons with disabilities to the IG for special attention and care,” he said.

Responding, the IG assured Nigerians of a comprehensive, intelligence-driven approach to election security. He disclosed that nationwide threat assessments and intelligence mapping had already commenced.

Disu said the Nigeria Police Force would prioritise preventive policing, inter-agency collaboration and the protection of electoral personnel and infrastructure.

“I assure you that the police will enforce electoral laws firmly and professionally. I want to repeat that we will ensure that we enforce electoral laws firmly and we will do it professionally.

“I want to emphasise that individuals involved in ballot snatching, vote buying, voter intimidation, destruction of electoral materials, violent destruction of polls or attack on electoral officials will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the laws.”

On IDPs and vulnerable groups, he added, “You mentioned the issue of people in the IDP camp. We have noted that they are in our plans. People with disabilities have been taken into cognisance, and special plans have been put in place for them.”

Despite these assurances, opposition parties expressed deep reservations over any plan to deploy the military for electoral duties, warning that such a move could heighten tensions and undermine public confidence.

The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr Yunusa Tanko, argued that election security should remain within the purview of the police and other civil agencies.

He said, “The police have not been well equipped. It’s an internal matter, and the police should have been well equipped to take care of internal insecurity, while the soldiers would take care of the border and ensure people do not infiltrate the country.

“But the thing is, how well did we even equip our security apparatus to be able to challenge this particular insecurity in the country? Remember, again, we had a similar situation during the (Goodluck) Jonathan era when they raised the issue of insecurity, an action that made the then National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, force the extension of the election because of certain things.