The Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Kogi State has cautioned political parties and their supporters against thuggery, voter intimidation, vote-buying and other activities that could threaten the peaceful conduct of the 2027 general elections.
The committee issued the warning on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting with leaders and candidates of registered political parties at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Lokoja.
The meeting, chaired by the Kogi State Commissioner of Police and ICCES Co-Chairman, CP Bello Kankorfi, focused on strengthening cooperation among security agencies and electoral stakeholders to ensure peaceful, free and credible elections.
Representatives of the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Correctional Service attended the meeting.
Discussions covered security arrangements across the state’s 21 local government areas, compliance with the Electoral Act 2022, campaign regulations and measures to prevent political violence before, during and after the elections.
Participants also discussed security deployment, restrictions on movement on election day and INEC’s level of preparedness for the polls.
During the meeting, some opposition parties raised concerns over alleged cases of political violence, intimidation and attacks on their members in parts of the state.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) reported alleged attacks on its members in Ofu Local Government Area, while the African Democratic Congress (ADC) raised concerns over alleged attacks on its supporters in Gegu, Kogi Local Government Area.
The parties called for investigations into the incidents and the prosecution of anyone found responsible.
In his remarks, the Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Shehu Lawal, said measures had been put in place to protect INEC officials, electoral materials and voters throughout the electoral process.
Lawal assured political parties and candidates that the presidential, National Assembly, governorship and State House of Assembly elections would be conducted in a free, fair, credible and transparent manner.
He disclosed that the commission had begun preparations through stakeholder engagement, voter education and logistical planning to minimise disruptions during the elections.
The REC urged political parties to comply with electoral guidelines, submit their campaign schedules promptly and educate their supporters on the importance of peaceful political participation.
He also reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to neutrality, stating that the commission would not tolerate electoral malpractice and would uphold the constitutional rights of voters.
Also speaking, Kankorfi assured stakeholders that allegations of attacks on SDP members in Ofu and ADC supporters in Gegu would be investigated without bias.
He warned that security agencies would not tolerate political violence, intimidation or any activity capable of disrupting public order, adding that offenders would be prosecuted regardless of their political affiliation or social status.
The police commissioner said security agencies had developed a coordinated strategy involving intelligence gathering, joint patrols in identified flashpoints, adequate personnel deployment across the 21 local government areas and monitoring of campaign activities.
He stressed that security operatives would perform their duties professionally and impartially, ensuring that no political party received preferential treatment.
Kankorfi further advised political parties to submit their campaign schedules to the police command to enable proper security planning. He also warned against the use of political thugs as security personnel at campaign venues.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to maintaining peace in Kogi State and pledged that the findings of investigations into the alleged attacks would be made public.
Meanwhile, opposition parties called on INEC and security agencies to remain neutral and transparent, stressing that impartial conduct would be essential to building public confidence in the electoral process.
The meeting ended with stakeholders pledging to strengthen collaboration and work towards peaceful and violence-free elections in Kogi State in 2027.
