The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash O. Amupitan, has stated that security and national stability are critical to the integrity of Nigerian elections.
His words were: “Credible elections remain a top priority as Nigeria continues to deepen its democratic process.”
Amupitan welcomed a group from the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) to the Commission’s offices in Abuja, describing the visit as timely and emphasising the crucial relationship between national security and credible elections.
He praised AANISS for its contribution in developing senior security officials and enhancing Nigeria’s security infrastructure, emphasising that election integrity is inextricably linked to national stability and security.
The INEC chairman also informed the group that the Commission is committed to delivering free, fair, and credible elections through innovative techniques and ongoing partnership with security agencies and other stakeholders.
Mike Ejiofor, President of AANISS, who headed the group, indicated that the visit was intended to increase coordination between the electoral body and Nigeria’s security agencies ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ejiofor, a Fellow of the National Institute for Security Studies (FSI), chairs the association’s executive committee, which includes senior officers from the Armed Forces, security and intelligence agencies, and regulatory institutions who have completed the prestigious course at the National Institute for Security Studies.
He explained that the association brings together strategic-level security professionals whose expertise is critical to maintaining national stability, particularly during electoral cycles, and that participation in the Institute’s programme, designed for top management personnel, will help the Commission better understand the security dynamics surrounding electoral processes.
He said: “With the enormous expectations placed on INEC as the country moves closer to the 2027 elections, it is important that the Commission is represented in the course to strengthen strategic coordination on electoral security.”
He congratulated Amupitan on his appointment, stressing that managing Nigeria’s electoral process carries significant responsibility considering the country’s population of over 200 million.