By Gabriel Ameh
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will incorporate security flashpoints identified by the National Peace Committee (NPC) into its preparations for the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, gave the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja when members of the Committee visited the Commission’s headquarters as part of efforts to support a peaceful and credible poll.
Amupitan described the NPC’s security assessment, conducted through its Election Security Information (ESI) Hub, as timely and evidence-based, noting that the findings would strengthen ongoing inter-agency security coordination.
He said areas flagged as potential flashpoints — AMAC, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Bwari Area Councils would be carefully reviewed and factored into INEC’s security collaboration with relevant agencies.
“The evidence-based information presented, particularly the identification of potential flashpoints, will be carefully studied and integrated into our ongoing security arrangements,” he said.
The INEC Chairman disclosed that the Commission had recently concluded engagements with security agencies, political parties, civil society organisations and the media as part of efforts to consolidate arrangements for the election, stressing that proactive steps remain critical to preventing disruptions.
He acknowledged concerns raised by the Committee, including alleged threats among political actors, intra- and inter-party tensions, risks of vote trading and broader community security challenges.
Amupitan reiterated INEC’s commitment to working closely with security agencies to address these vulnerabilities.
“Just last week, we charged the Nigeria Police Force, the EFCC and the ICPC to be vigilant against vote buying and related offences. We will share relevant insights with the appropriate authorities to enable preventive and responsive actions,” he said.
He added that while certain security strategies cannot be made public, the Commission remains committed to structured information-sharing under confidentiality arrangements.
Amupitan also noted that 2026 is a strategic preparatory year for the 2027 General Election, making collaboration with institutions such as the National Peace Committee essential to sustaining electoral peace.
Earlier, the Executive Director of the Kukah Centre and Head of Secretariat of the National Peace Committee, Rev. Fr. Atta Barkindo, conveyed the goodwill of the Committee’s Chairman, former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd.), and Convener, Bishop Hassan Kukah.
He explained that the Committee’s ESI Hub, launched last year, has developed nationwide networks for gathering and analysing data on insecurity and electoral risks to ensure its interventions are guided strictly by facts.
Also speaking, the Project Manager of the Kukah Centre, Ms. Asabe, described the FCT poll as a “mirror” of Nigeria’s preparedness for the 2027 General Election.
She identified AMAC as having a high concentration of reported incidents and potential vote trading risks, while Gwagwalada faces indigene-settler tensions and party disputes.
According to her, Bwari is contending with concerns over candidate legitimacy and spillover security threats, while Kuje is grappling with farmer-herder conflicts, kidnapping incidents and limited security presence in remote communities.
