The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has stressed the need for adequate funding to ensure effective security and logistics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan made the call on Wednesday in Owerri, Imo State, while delivering a goodwill message at the sixth Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers. The event focused on developing a roadmap for effective management of election security in Nigeria.
The INEC chairman, represented in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, said the commission’s funding is constitutionally provided as a first-line charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund. However, he noted that the wide range of responsibilities assigned to INEC requires consistent financial support.
He explained that the commission oversees presidential, National Assembly, governorship and State House of Assembly elections, in addition to voter registration and the registration of political parties.
Amupitan also pointed out that INEC has the legal authority to request the deployment of security agencies during elections and voter registration exercises, making security an important part of the commission’s operations.
According to him, financial limitations can affect what government agencies, including INEC and the police, are able to accomplish within available appropriations.
He emphasised that voter registration remains a key foundation of the electoral process, warning that an inaccurate or outdated voters’ register could affect the credibility and inclusiveness of elections.
The INEC chairman said election funding, including expenditure on security, should be viewed as a national responsibility because the commission conducts elections across the three levels of government.
He noted that sufficient resources would be needed to move electoral personnel and materials to local government areas, wards, registration areas and polling units across the country.
Amupitan further explained that maintaining peace alone would not guarantee a successful election if logistical challenges prevented electoral officials and materials from reaching polling locations on time.
He said INEC had therefore placed security and logistics among its key priorities and was engaging government institutions and security agencies to address potential operational challenges before the 2027 polls.
The chairman also highlighted the importance of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), which provides a platform for INEC, security agencies and other government institutions to coordinate election security arrangements.
He said the structure evolved following concerns over post-election violence after the 2011 general elections and has since developed into a coordinated system operating at federal, state and local government levels.
Under the arrangement, the Inspector-General of Police participates at the national level, commissioners of police operate at the state level, while divisional police authorities are represented at the local level.
Amupitan called for stronger cooperation among security agencies ahead of the 2027 elections, noting that the Nigeria Police Force remains the lead agency responsible for election security.
He said experiences from recent off-cycle elections provided useful lessons for preparations for the next general elections, particularly in the areas of intelligence gathering, logistics and cooperation among security agencies.
The INEC chairman also maintained that Nigerians expect a highly effective electoral system, but achieving that requires adequate investment and resources.
He urged the relevant authorities to ensure that INEC and security agencies have the funding and operational support needed to carry out their responsibilities effectively.
Amupitan expressed confidence that the Owerri retreat would contribute to the development of practical measures for improving election security ahead of 2027.
He also called on senior police officers to maintain professional neutrality, strengthen intelligence gathering and improve coordination with other agencies in order to protect the integrity of the electoral process.
Speaking at the event, Nigerian Bar Association President, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, urged the Nigeria Police Force to work closely with INEC leadership in the preparation and conduct of the 2027 elections.
She said effective policing and cooperation with the electoral commission would be important to creating an environment for free, fair, credible and transparent elections.
