Abdulsalami, EU Launch Election Tech Hub to Curb Violence Ahead of 2027 Polls

Abdulsalami, EU Launch Election Tech Hub To Curb Violence Ahead Of 2027 Polls

The National Peace Committee (NPC), chaired by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has unveiled a new technology-driven platform aimed at detecting and tackling election-related threats before they escalate.

The initiative, known as the Election Security Information Hub (ESI Hub), was launched on Tuesday in partnership with the European Union (EU) under its Support to Democratic Governance Programme in Nigeria. The event took place in Abuja.

According to the NPC’s Head of Secretariat and Executive Director of The Kukah Centre, Revd. Fr. Atta Barkindo, the ESI Hub was developed to provide real-time analysis and response to insecurity and other threats that undermine electoral integrity in the country.

“The strength of any democracy depends on the credibility of its elections and the trust of its citizens in the process. In Nigeria, insecurity remains one of the biggest threats to electoral integrity, public confidence, and peaceful participation,” Barkindo said.

He lamented that despite efforts by security agencies and election management bodies, incidents of electoral violence and intimidation have continued to rise, particularly during the 2023 general elections and the 2024 off-cycle polls.

The cleric explained that the new hub would serve as a data repository, providing verified information on security risks and electoral offences nationwide.

“This escalation underscores the need for credible data to assess and address election-related threats. The Hub will track, analyse, and share intelligence to guide preventive actions,” he added.

Barkindo further disclosed that the ESI Hub will generate quarterly threat assessments, monthly security briefs, and state-specific analyses, beginning with Anambra State. It will also operate an interactive dashboard, a situation monitoring room, and host expert-led podcasts on electoral security trends.

He said the platform’s purpose is to transform “early warnings into coordinated and lawful responses”, stressing that proactive measures are crucial in preventing electoral crises.

“The ESI Hub represents an evolution  moving from commitment to capacity, goodwill to credible information, and pledges to prevention,” Barkindo said.

Since its creation in 2014, the NPC has played a vital role in fostering peaceful elections through the signing of peace accords and political tolerance campaigns. However, it came under criticism during the 2023 elections for what many described as its muted response to widespread violence and vote-buying allegations.

During that election, President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared winner with 8,794,726 votes, defeating Atiku Abubakar (PDP) and Peter Obi (Labour Party), who polled 6,984,520 and 6,101,533 votes respectively. Both opposition candidates rejected the outcome and pursued legal challenges.

Responding to the earlier criticisms, Barkindo clarified that the NPC does not possess prosecutorial powers, as its mandate is limited to advocacy and mediation, while enforcement rests with law enforcement agencies.

Analysts have hailed the new ESI Hub as a significant step towards data-driven peacebuilding, positioning the NPC as not only a mediator but also an early-warning institution capable of preempting election violence.

“The success of this Hub will depend on our collective commitment to integrity, cooperation, and accountability,” Barkindo concluded.

“Let it stand as a symbol of partnership, foresight, and protection — where credible data strengthens democracy, and security upholds the people’s will.”