The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned that rising insecurity poses a serious threat to the survival of democracy in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The INEC Chairman, Joash Okechukwu Amupitan, raised the alarm on Thursday while delivering a lecture at the 2nd Annual event of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Security Studies.
Amupitan stressed that credible elections cannot be achieved without a secure environment, describing elections and national security as inseparable.
According to him, both must be treated as “two sides of the same coin,” as instability could undermine the integrity of the electoral process and silence the will of the people.
The INEC boss outlined a range of emerging threats that could affect the 2027 elections, including:
Artificial Intelligence-driven disinformation
Foreign Information Manipulation (FIMI)
Insurgency and communal conflicts
Logistical and operational challenges
He warned that these factors, if not properly managed, could destabilise the electoral process and erode public confidence.
Amupitan noted that Nigeria has entered a sensitive period following the release of the election timetable.
He revealed that presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship elections will take place on February 6, 2027.
He described these timelines not just as political milestones, but as potential “security triggers” that require proactive planning and coordination.
Declining Voter Turnout Raises Concern
The INEC Chairman also expressed concern over declining voter participation, noting a drop from 53% in 2011 to 26% in 2023.
He warned that low turnout could create a vacuum that may be exploited by anti-democratic forces, thereby increasing the risk of instability.
Technology And Collaboration Key
Amupitan highlighted the role of technology in safeguarding elections, citing tools such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) as critical in enhancing transparency and reducing electoral fraud.
He also called for stronger collaboration among security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process.
The INEC chairman concluded that protecting Nigeria’s democracy requires a collective effort, with security playing a central role in guaranteeing free, fair, and credible elections in 2027.
