According to Joash O. Amupitan, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the integrity of Nigerian elections depends on national stability and security.
“As Nigeria continues to deepen its democratic process, credible elections remain a top priority,” he stated.
During a courtesy visit to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, Amupitan welcomed a group from the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Security Studies (AANISS), emphasizing the crucial connection between legitimate elections and national security.
He praised AANISS for boosting Nigeria’s security infrastructure and enhancing the capabilities of senior security officials, stating that national peace and security are closely linked to election integrity.
The group was further reassured by the INEC chairman of the Commission’s dedication to holding free, fair, and credible elections through creative methods and ongoing cooperation with security services and other interested parties.
The delegation’s leader, AANISS President Mike Ejiofor, clarified that the purpose of the tour was to improve cooperation between Nigeria’s security agencies and the electoral body in preparation for the country’s general elections in 2027.
Members of the association’s executive committee, led by Ejiofor, a Fellow of the National Institute for Security Studies (FSI), include senior officers from the Armed Forces, security and intelligence agencies, and regulatory organizations who have finished the esteemed course at the National Institute for Security Studies.
He emphasized that participation in the Institute’s program, intended for top management personnel, will improve the Commission’s comprehension of the security dynamics surrounding electoral processes. He clarified that the association brings together strategic-level security professionals whose expertise is critical to maintaining national stability, particularly during electoral cycles.
“It is crucial that the Commission is represented in the course to strengthen strategic coordination on electoral security because of the high expectations placed on INEC as the nation approaches the 2027 elections,” he clarified.
He congratulated Amupitan on his appointment and pointed out that, considering Nigeria’s population of more than 200 million, managing the country’s electoral process entails a great deal of responsibility.
