Juliet Ezeh
Nigeria’s electoral umpire has raised fresh concerns over emerging threats to the 2027 general elections, warning that the convergence of digital disinformation, insecurity, and voter apathy could pose serious risks to national stability.
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, sounded the warning at the 2nd Annual Lecture of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Security Studies in Abuja, where he described the forthcoming elections as a critical “test of institutional resilience.”
According to him, Nigeria is entering a complex electoral phase where traditional security challenges are now being compounded by modern digital threats, including the spread of false information through social media and the growing use of artificial intelligence to manipulate public perception.
He stressed that these risks, when combined with existing issues such as insurgency and communal conflicts, could significantly erode public trust in the electoral process if not urgently addressed.
Amupitan noted that the release of the election timetable, fixing the presidential and National Assembly polls for January 16, 2027, and governorship elections for February 6, has effectively triggered a new phase of security concerns that require proactive coordination among stakeholders.
“The credibility of elections is directly tied to national security,” he said, warning that any compromise in the integrity of the process could undermine governance and fuel instability.
He further identified voter apathy as a growing but often overlooked threat, revealing that turnout has dropped significantly over the years. According to him, low participation creates opportunities for misinformation and weakens democratic legitimacy, making the system more vulnerable to manipulation.
To counter these risks, the INEC chairman highlighted the Commission’s increasing reliance on technology, particularly the deployment of systems such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), which he described as critical safeguards against electoral fraud.
He also emphasised the importance of strengthening collaboration through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, noting that security agencies must move beyond reactive measures to intelligence-driven strategies capable of preventing threats before they escalate.
Amupitan called on security experts, policymakers, and civil society to work collectively in safeguarding the electoral process, insisting that credible elections are not just a democratic necessity but a foundation for peace and economic development.
As preparations intensify for 2027, he assured Nigerians of INEC’s commitment to delivering a free, fair, and credible election, while urging citizens to actively participate in the process.
“The success of our democracy depends not only on institutions but on the confidence and participation of the people,” he said, adding that every vote cast strengthens national security.
