2027 Polls: Opposition rejects military presence as INEC raises fresh security fears

Fresh concerns have emerged over the conduct of the 2027 general elections after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) warned that worsening insecurity across the country could threaten the credibility and smooth conduct of the polls.

The warning has, however, triggered sharp reactions from opposition parties and political groups, many of whom strongly opposed any suggestion of deploying military personnel for election duties, insisting that election security should remain the responsibility of civil authorities.

The debate comes amid rising political activities, early coalition talks, and mounting anxiety over violence and instability in several parts of the country ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Speaking during a visit to the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, in Abuja, the Chairman of INEC, Joash Amupitan, warned that insecurity remained a major threat to democratic stability and electoral integrity.

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.”

Amupitan stressed that the scale of violence and instability in parts of the country required urgent planning and coordinated intervention ahead of the elections.

“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,” he said.

The INEC chairman noted that preparations had become even more crucial with the presidential election fixed for January 16, 2027, and governorship and state assembly elections scheduled for February 6.

He also identified ongoing party congresses, the coming primaries under the Electoral Act 2026, and the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states as developments requiring heightened security coordination.

Amupitan additionally urged security agencies to pay attention to internally displaced persons and citizens living with disabilities, insisting they must not be denied participation in 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 stated.

Responding, the police chief assured Nigerians that the force had already begun intelligence gathering and nationwide threat assessments ahead of the elections.

Disu said the police would rely on preventive policing and inter-agency collaboration to secure the polls and protect electoral personnel and facilities.

“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,” he said.

He also warned that electoral offenders would face prosecution.

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“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 displaced persons and vulnerable groups, the IG 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 the assurances, opposition figures expressed concern over growing calls for military involvement in election security, arguing that such deployments could undermine public trust and heighten tension.

The National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, insisted that elections are civil exercises best managed by the police and other non-military 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.”

Tanko warned against any attempt to use insecurity as justification for disrupting the electoral process.

“This is very important for us to look at if the government of the day is not trying to use insecurity as an issue to ensure that this election does not hold. We know this government is seriously worried that Peter Obi is very much likely to be on the ballot. So, we have to be very careful of possible land mines and traps they may be laying down for the opposition,” he added.

Also reacting, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Ken Asogwa, described military deployment for elections as inappropriate.

“It is quite unfortunate the situation we found ourselves in, so much that we could be thinking of inviting soldiers to guard a civic exercise like our elections. This is an exercise that, in other jurisdictions like Ghana, I don’t even want to talk about the Western world, conducted on weekdays where people will go to work and proceed to wherever they are going,’’ he said.

He continued, “What happens to the civil defence who are trained to handle tasks like electoral activities? We shouldn’t even go in the direction of soldiers at all. Soldiers are trained to fight war and protect the territorial integrity of countries. They are not trained to man polling booths or pacify people.

“We are only coming out to elect our leaders. It is unfortunate where our politicians have taken us to. Again, the police are also there to handle civic engagements like this.”

The Peoples Democratic Party Interim National Working Committee, led by Tanimu Turaki, also weighed in, arguing that the greater threat to credible elections lay within INEC itself.

Speaking through the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the group stated, “The INEC Chairman may have a point. But insincerity and partisanship within INEC pose a greater threat to elections than insecurity. He should focus on matters within his direct responsibility, particularly ensuring impartiality, transparency, and credibility, while allowing the President to handle security issues.

“Although insecurity can disrupt elections, attention should be directed toward strengthening INEC’s neutrality as an electoral umpire. The priority for the Commission should be building public trust, demonstrating integrity, and addressing concerns about fairness in the electoral process.”

The PDP faction also opposed the use of soldiers during elections.

“Calls for the deployment of military personnel ahead of elections should not be considered, given the sensitive role of security in electoral environments and past experiences where it has sometimes been misused or has contributed to tension. Other security agencies should be allowed to handle election-related matters rather than soldiers.

“Ultimately, INEC must concentrate on delivering credible elections anchored on trust, fairness, and institutional integrity,” the statement added.

Similarly, the National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Ladipo Johnson, urged the Federal Government to urgently tackle insecurity before the election season intensifies.

“If this government is serious about holding elections in January 2027, then insecurity must be properly tackled. How many months is it again? Eight months, isn’t it? So we have enough time to have a positive effect on the security situation in the country,” he said.

Johnson, however, questioned the government’s capacity to resolve the crisis given past failures.

“The eight months that they have are more than enough time to begin to turn around the lack of security in the country, especially in these areas that we know. But I do not know if they have the competence to do it, because they’ve had several years to try to get a grip on the problem but failed.

“Knowing what we know and the past experiences that we have all had, I would not encourage a situation whereby these governments will be licensed to deploy military men to polling units.”

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