Police, INEC Strengthen Plans For Ekiti, Osun Elections And 2027 Polls

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on Wednesday, May 6, met with the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, SAN, and other senior officials of the commission at the Force Headquarters in Abuja over security arrangements for upcoming elections.

The meeting was to discuss plans to ensure peaceful, credible and secure elections, especially in the lead up to the Ekiti and Osun off-cycle governorship elections, upcoming bye-elections and 2027 General Elections.

Also present were members of the Force Management Team and senior officers of Nigeria Police Force.

The INEC delegation was led by National Commissioner, North-Central Region, Professor Sanni Muhammed, and included National Commissioners, North-East Region, Mrs Jamila Abubakar Malafa and Dr Baba Bila; National Commissioner, South-South Region, Rear Admiral Rhoda Gumus; and National Commissioner, South-West Region, Professor Kunle Ajayi.

Amupitan, during the visit, stressed the need for proactive security planning ahead of the electoral cycle.

He said the present security challenges in some parts of the country required early preparation, special training for security personnel and closer collaboration between INEC and the police.

The INEC chairman also called for special attention to be given to vulnerable voters especially the Internally Displaced Persons and Persons with Disabilities.

He said that IDPs and PWDs should be allowed to exercise their constitutional rights without fear, intimidation or obstruction.

He urged the police to help create a safe environment that would guarantee all eligible voters that they could participate in the elections without fear.

Police Start Intelligence Mapping
Disu responded that the visit was timely and important to Nigeria’s democratic stability.

He said the Nigeria Police Force had already started strategic preparations for the forthcoming elections, including intelligence mapping to identify and prevent possible threats.

The IGP said the measures are targeted at addressing political violence, cult-related activities, voter intimidation and other actions that could disrupt the electoral process.

He also disclosed that the Force was working on plans for the safe movement of electoral materials and personnel before, during and after elections.

Disu said the police would continue to work with other security agencies to ensure a unified operational approach across the country.

He said the Force would also ramp up efforts to counter misinformation, which he said can raise tension and erode public confidence in the electoral process.

The IGP reassured the INEC delegation that the police officers deployed for election duties would be guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act.

He said that personnel were already being trained on rules of engagement, protection of human rights and professional conduct during elections.

The police would do their job in a manner that safeguards voters, election officials, observers and other stakeholders, Disu said.

He said the Force would not tolerate any misconduct on the part of any officer attached for election duties.

He said any police officer found wanting or involved in any act that could compromise the integrity of the elections would be dealt with according to the law.

Disu reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to provide a safe and secure environment for all citizens throughout the electoral process.

He said special consideration would be given to IDPs, PWDs and other vulnerable groups to ensure that they are not left out of the exercise.

The IGP also appealed for cooperation between the commission and other stakeholders in elections, while pledging the full support of the Force to INEC.

Effective collaboration among institutions would be critical to ensuring peaceful elections and a smooth democratic process for the country, he said.