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The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the National Peace Committee (NPC) have established a strategic alliance aimed at enhancing election security and fostering peaceful behavior in anticipation of the upcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election.

On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja, the renewed collaboration was confirmed during a visit by members of the National Peace Committee to INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, along with National Commissioners, technical aides, and senior management personnel.

Prof. Amupitan welcomed the delegation and deemed the visit timely, pointing out that the Commission had wrapped up a series of discussions with key stakeholders—including security agencies, political parties, civil society organizations, and the media—in the past week as part of final preparations for the FCT election.

He stressed that 2026 is a crucial preparatory phase for the 2027 General Election beyond the current election, highlighting the need for proactive cooperation to address emerging security threats.

“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 Chairman stated.

The INEC Chairman praised the National Peace Committee for setting up an Election Security Information (ESI) Hub, which aids in preventing conflict and reducing electoral risks alongside institutional measures. He remarked that the Committee’s evidence-based security analysis of the FCT, especially its identification of potential flashpoints in AMAC, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Bwari Area Councils, would be thoroughly examined and incorporated into ongoing security coordination efforts.

Prof. Amupitan recognized worries expressed about supposed threats among political figures, tensions both between and within parties, dangers of vote trafficking, and the wider security issues in some communities. He assured the delegation that the Commission would provide security agencies with relevant insights to facilitate 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.” He said.

The Chairman expressed a willingness to enhance information-sharing mechanisms with the Committee under suitable confidentiality arrangements, while emphasizing that not all security details can be disclosed. He noted that both institutions aim for peaceful, credible elections.

He also remembered the Committee’s involvement in aiding peace agreements before past elections, such as the Anambra Governorship Election, characterizing these efforts as a social contract that strengthens political figures’ pledges to refrain from violence and accept electoral results.

Rev. Fr. Atta Barkindo, who is the Executive Director of the Kukah Centre and Head of Secretariat of the National Peace Committee, previously communicated the goodwill of the Committee’s Chairman, former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd.), and its Convener, Bishop Hassan Kukah.

He assured the Commission that the Committee was prepared to offer strategic guidance and support for not only the FCT election but also the upcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States, as well as the preparations for the 2027 General Election.

The Committee’s Election Security Information Hub, which was launched last year, has created networks nationwide to gather and analyze data on trends in violence, insecurity, and conflict—both those related to elections and those that could affect the electoral process—according to Rev. Fr. Barkindo.

He stated that the aim is to guarantee that all actions taken by the Committee are strictly informed by data and evidence, rather than sentiment or partisan influences.

Ms. Asabe, the Kukah Centre’s Project Manager, offered a detailed presentation in which she characterized the FCT election as a “mirror” for Nigerians to evaluate the preparations for the 2027 General Election.

She clarified that the ESI Hub has been monitoring incidents since June of the previous year under two main categories: election-related violence and an Electoral Offences Tracking System that is in accordance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the principles of peace accords.

She pinpointed AMAC as a zone of particular concern, noting its elevated concentration of documented security breaches and possible vote-trading dangers. Gwagwalada was highlighted for issues related to indigene-settler tensions and party disputes, whereas Bwari contends with candidate legitimacy disputes and security spillovers from adjacent states.

She observed that Kuje poses intricate challenges, such as reported conflicts between farmers and herders, instances of kidnapping, a lack of security forces in some communities, and telecommunications deficiencies in isolated regions.

She voiced hope that, through joint efforts by all stakeholders involved, the FCT election could be carried out peacefully and credibly. She also requested ongoing cooperation with the Commission in exchanging relevant monitoring insights.

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