The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has uncovered an alleged plan to threaten, intimidate and kidnap ad-hoc election personnel, including members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed this during the commission’s North Central zonal operational readiness assessment and staff engagement in Lokoja. He said intelligence-driven operations had resulted in the arrest of suspected masterminds linked to the plot, adding that the suspects had been charged to court through the Department of State Services (DSS).
Amupitan warned that individuals who threaten, attack or interfere with electoral personnel would face the full force of the law. He also cautioned election officials against partisan conduct and negligence, stressing that any officer found compromising the integrity of the electoral process would be sanctioned.
The INEC chairman noted that the success and credibility of the 2027 general elections would largely depend on the professionalism, neutrality and commitment of election personnel, particularly at the grassroots level.
According to him, the commission is strengthening collaboration with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to identify and neutralise potential threats before the polls.
He added that INEC is deploying Election Risk Management tools to map vulnerable locations across the North Central zone and share intelligence with security agencies for timely intervention.
Amupitan said preparations for the 2027 elections were already being intensified nationwide, emphasising that credible elections require long-term planning rather than last-minute arrangements. He highlighted the need for adequate logistics, improved administrative processes, investment in technology and enhanced staff welfare.
The chairman disclosed that the commission was preparing for an election involving more than 103 million registered voters across 176,846 polling units in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
He further revealed that the North Central zone, comprising six states and the FCT, has a combined 15.44 million registered voters, with Kogi State accounting for 1,932,654 voters.
Describing the region as strategically important, Amupitan said Kogi State’s central location and shared borders with several states make its security and logistics arrangements crucial to election administration.
He urged electoral officers to ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised due to administrative shortcomings or logistical failures, while maintaining the highest standards of neutrality and accountability.
On voter registration, the INEC chairman said the commission was addressing irregularities identified during the claims and objections process ahead of the publication of the final voters’ register on December 15, 2026, assuring Nigerians that necessary corrections would be made before its release.
Amupitan also expressed concern over the growing spread of misinformation, disinformation and manipulated videos on social media, describing them as significant threats to public confidence in the electoral process. He called on citizens to verify information before sharing it and urged INEC’s publicity and voter education departments to intensify public enlightenment campaigns.
Regarding staff welfare, he said the commission had introduced the Consolidated Election Management Body Salary Structure (CEMBSS) effective January 1, 2026, alongside plans for enhanced allowances, a housing scheme and improved logistics support, including the procurement of 500 pickup vehicles.
He charged INEC workers to view themselves as custodians of electoral integrity, stressing that the success of the 2027 elections would depend on their ability to perform their duties lawfully, professionally and without fear or favour.