Fresh concerns over the credibility and security of the 2027 general elections emerged on Wednesday as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, warned that worsening insecurity across parts of the country could threaten the conduct of free, fair and credible polls.

However, opposition political parties strongly opposed any move to deploy military personnel for election duties, insisting that civil security agencies should remain responsible for electoral security.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, raised the concern during a meeting with the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, in Abuja, stressing that persistent violence and attacks on electoral processes posed serious threats to Nigeria’s democracy.

According to him, the scale of insecurity across several regions of the country requires urgent and proactive security planning ahead of the elections.

“In Nigeria, our electoral system has faced numerous challenges over the years, ranging from malpractices to threats of violence and vote trading that undermine the confidence of the electorate,” Amupitan said.

He added that insecurity remained a major risk factor capable of undermining the integrity of the 2027 elections, noting that comprehensive security risk assessments must be carried out to identify flashpoints and deploy effective preventive measures.

The INEC chairman further disclosed that preparations were ongoing ahead of the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027, as well as governorship and state assembly elections fixed for February 6, 2027.

Amupitan also highlighted the need to guarantee voting rights for Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, and persons living with disabilities, assuring that the commission was working to ensure their participation in the electoral process.

Responding, the Inspector-General of Police assured Nigerians that the police had already commenced nationwide intelligence gathering and threat assessments to safeguard the electoral process.

Disu stated that the Nigeria Police Force would adopt preventive policing strategies and collaborate with other security agencies to protect electoral officials, infrastructure and voters.

He warned that individuals involved in ballot snatching, vote-buying, voter intimidation and attacks on electoral personnel would face arrest and prosecution.

Despite the assurances, opposition parties expressed deep reservations over suggestions that military personnel could be deployed during elections.

National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr Yunusa Tanko, argued that election security should remain strictly within the control of the police and other civil authorities.

Tanko warned against using insecurity as a possible excuse to compromise or delay the electoral process, recalling similar concerns raised during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Similarly, Labour Party spokesman, Ken Asogwa, described elections as civic exercises that should not require military intervention.

“It is unfortunate that we are discussing the deployment of soldiers for elections. Soldiers are trained for warfare and territorial defence, not to supervise polling units,” he said.

The Tanimu Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Interim National Working Committee also maintained that internal issues within INEC posed a greater threat to credible elections than insecurity itself.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, urged the electoral commission to focus on transparency, neutrality and public trust rather than discussions around military deployment.

On its part, the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, called on the Federal Government to urgently address insecurity before the 2027 polls.

NNPP spokesman, Ladipo Johnson, said the government still had enough time to improve the security situation but questioned its competence in handling the crisis.

Meanwhile, the worsening security situation has already begun affecting political activities nationwide.

The Social Democratic Party, SDP, announced the relocation of its May 9 national convention from Abuja to Bauchi State, citing logistical and security concerns.

SDP National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, said the decision became necessary after difficulties in securing a suitable venue in Abuja.

He added that the party had constituted several committees, including screening, electoral and convention committees, to ensure a transparent and credible exercise.

The development further highlights growing fears over the impact of insecurity on Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.