The National Security Adviser
The Minister of Defence
The National Commissioners of INEC
The Inspector General of Police
The Director General, Department of State Services
The Director General, National Intelligence Agency
The Chief of Defence Intelligence
The Commandant General, NSCDC
The Commandant, National Institute for Security Studies
President, Alumni Association of The National Institute for Security Studies (AANISS)
The Guest Lecturer
Members of the Press
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.
The famous statement by President John Kennedy is apt. He said- The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.
1. It is a profound honour to stand before this assembly of strategic thinkers and security practitioners. I must begin by commending the Alumni Association of The National Institute for Security Studies (AANISS) for their foresight in choosing this theme: ‘Credible Elections and National Security in Nigeria.’ I am also happy to chair this auspicious second annual lecture series of this esteemed Association.
2. In our journey toward democratic consolidation, we must move past the notion that elections and security are parallel tracks. They are, in fact, two sides of the same coin of national stability. While the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act 2026, and INEC Regulations provide the legal framework of our democracy, it is the security architecture that provides the enabling environment for those laws to breathe. Without a secure environment, the Sovereign Will of the people is not just threatened; it is silenced.
3. As we gather here today, we are reminded that credible elections are the bedrock of democracy, and indeed, they serve as a litmus test for the strength and resilience of our national security architecture. The interplay between election integrity and national security is profound; one sustains the other. To have a peaceful, secure, and prosperous nation, the credibility of our elections cannot be compromised.
4. In Nigeria, our electoral system has faced numerous challenges over the years, ranging from malpractices to threats of violence , vote trading that undermine the confidence of the electorate. These challenges not only affect the outcome of elections but also pose significant risks to our national security. Thus, it is imperative that we address these concerns with utmost seriousness and resolve.
6. We meet at a critical juncture following the Commission’s recent release of the Notice of Election for the 2027 General Election. With the Presidential and National Assembly elections set for January 16, 2027, and the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections for February 6, 2027, this roadmap is no longer just an administrative timeline; it is a security trigger.
7. Today, Nigeria faces a sophisticated triad of electoral challenges: the convergence of social media volatility, the weaponisation of AI-driven disinformation, Foreign Information Manipulation (FIMI) and logistic deficit. When these digital threats intersect with physical challenges like insurgency and communal strife, the trust deficit widens. It is our collective responsibility to close this gap with surgical precision- hence the importance of this lecture.
8. We must recognize that credible elections foster public trust in governance, and this trust is crucial for national security. When citizens believe in the electoral process, they are more likely to accept the outcomes, reducing the tensions that can lead to unrest. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us as stakeholders—INEC, security agencies, civil society, and the electorate—to collaborate in fortifying the systems that underpin our elections.
9. Under my leadership, the Commission’s approach is anchored on the Supremacy of the Constitution and the Electoral Act. We are currently navigating a new statutory frontier where adjustments to timelines demand earlier and more rigorous security deployments. We are not merely watching the law; we are enforcing its technical safeguards—specifically the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV)—as the ultimate defense against electoral fraud.
10. I often say that security is both the first mile and the last mile of election logistics. Our success depends on the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) moving from reactive policing to proactive intelligence coordination. ICCES is the heartbeat of our operational safety. Whether it is the upcoming Ekiti Governorship Election (June 2026) or the Osun Polls (August 2026), our success depends on the Nigerian Police Force, as the lead agency, ensuring total synergy among all ICCES members. We must ensure our personnel, materials, and voters are shielded by a unified, multi-agency umbrella of protection.
11. To the distinguished alumni here today: you are the bridge between strategy and stability. I challenge you to serve as the strategic movers of our democracy. We need your expertise to analyse the Rule of Law as a security asset. Adherence to the Electoral Act is our strongest shield against post-election unrest. We need you to help us refine threat-assessment models so that security deployments are both precise and preventative. By doing so, we can replicate and surpass the successes recorded in the Anambra Governorship Election and the February 2026 FCT Area Council Polls, where professionalism paved the way for peace.
12. Despite the peaceful conduct of the FCT Council Polls, where turnout improved from 9.4% to 15%, voter apathy remains a sobering challenge. Dropping from 53% in 2011 to 26% in 2023, low turnout is more than a civic concern, it is a security risk. Apathy creates a narrative vacuum that non-state actors fill to delegitimise the government. I urge you to join us in emphasizing that a vote cast is a brick laid in the wall of national security.
13. The 2027 General Election will be a test of our institutional resilience. I want to assure Nigerians that INEC is committed to a fair, free and credible election. We understand that a free and credible election will confer both legality and legitimacy on the elected leaders and will foster the economic development of the country. On Tuesday, March 24, we hosted political parties for a clause-by-clause review of our Regulations and Guidelines. Our Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) is ongoing, among other initiatives. We are cleaning the National Register of Voters and deepening our technology to ensure the ballot remains sacrosanct.
14. To enhance the credibility of our electoral processes, we must focus on several key areas:
Voter Education and Enlightenment: Engaging with the electorate to understand their rights and responsibilities is paramount. A well-informed voter is an empowered voter, capable of making choices that align with their aspirations for a secure and prosperous nation. According to Franklin D. Roosevelt, “Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.”
Technological Integration: As we move forward, the prudent adoption of technology in our electoral processes can significantly minimise human error and manipulation. Technologies such as biometric registration and electronic voting can enhance transparency, trust, and efficiency.
Robust Security Framework: The presence of reliable security measures during elections is non-negotiable. It is essential that we develop a collaborative framework between INEC and our security agencies, ensuring that they are well-prepared to address threats and maintain peace during the electoral period.
Promoting Inclusivity: Engaging marginalised groups and ensuring equitable access to the electoral process reduces feelings of disenfranchisement and alienation, which can manifest as threats to national security. All citizens must feel represented in the democratic process.
Eliminating all sort of electoral vices and malpractices: such as result manipulation and vote buying/trading.
Post-Election Accountability: Elections do not end with the casting of votes; rather, they extend into the realm of accountability.
15. However, INEC cannot do it alone. Through the robust coordination of ICCES, we are building a formidable wall of integrity. As I always say, an election is only as good as its logistics, and only as peaceful as its security. I appeal to the security eggheads in this hall: let us work together to ensure that 2027 is remembered not for the threats we faced, but for the stability we secured.
May God bless AANISS; God bless our security agencies; God bless the Independent National Electoral Commission, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Thank you.
Professor Joash O. Amupitan, SAN
Honourable Chairman, INEC
March 26, 2026