Nigeria’s electoral body and the influential National Peace Committee (NPC) have announced a “strategic partnership” to bolster security and curb violence ahead of the upcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.
The move comes amid growing concerns over kidnapping, “vote trading,” and localized tensions in the capital’s satellite towns.
‘Preparatory year’ for 2027
Meeting at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan SAN, described 2026 as a “critical preparatory year” for the country’s general elections in 2027.”The responsibility we share in maintaining peace and security during this period is paramount,” Professor Amupitan said. “With proactive and strategic partnership, we can create an environment conducive to safe and credible elections.”The Professor noted that while the FCT polls are the immediate focus, the commission is already factoring in security risks for upcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States.
Mapping the risks
The National Peace Committee, led by former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar and Bishop Matthew Kukah, presented data from its newly established Election Security Information (ESI) Hub.The hub’s analysis identified several “flashpoints” across the capital territory:
AMAC (Abuja Municipal): High risk of “vote trading” and security incidents.
Gwagwalada: Tensions between indigenes and settlers, alongside intra-party disputes.
Bwari: Disputes over candidate legitimacy and spillover violence from neighboring states.
Kuje: Complex challenges including farmer-herder conflicts, kidnapping, and poor telecommunications in remote areas.
A ‘mirror’ for the nation
Project Manager at the Kukah Centre, Ms. Asabe Ndahi, described the FCT election as a “mirror” through which Nigerians will judge the country’s readiness for the 2027 general elections. In response to the findings, INEC confirmed it had already directed the Nigeria Police and anti-corruption agencies (EFCC and ICPC) to be on high alert for electoral offences. The National Peace Committee has long played a “firefighter” role in Nigerian politics, famously brokering “Peace Accords” where presidential and gubernatorial candidates sign pledges to avoid violence and accept the results of the ballot box.
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