By Taibat Ummi Yakubu
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stern warning to politicians and their supporters, declaring that acts of violence, intimidation, hate speech and vote buying will not be tolerated as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
The commission said it was already monitoring troubling developments across the country and would not hesitate to sanction and prosecute anyone found undermining the democratic process.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, sounded the warning in Abuja on Monday during a strategic workshop for editors organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) in collaboration with the electoral body. The workshop focused on strengthening cooperation between the media, civil society organisations and electoral institutions in safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy.
Speaking at the event, Amupitan expressed concern over growing signs of political tension and the increasing use of inflammatory rhetoric by some political actors. He revealed that security agencies and election stakeholders were tracking incidents capable of threatening peace ahead of the polls, including reports of politicians openly displaying weapons during campaign activities.
According to him, one of the reports brought to his attention involved a political candidate in Kano who was allegedly seen campaigning while carrying a firearm. He also disclosed that election officials had received threats from individuals claiming they would use weapons against members of the commission.
The INEC chairman stressed that democracy should be driven by ideas, policies and healthy political competition rather than violence, fear and intimidation. He warned that political parties and candidates found sponsoring thugs, inciting violence or disrupting opponents’ activities would face severe consequences under the law.
To curb potential threats before they escalate, Amupitan said INEC had activated an early-warning system through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES). The framework, he explained, is designed to identify and respond swiftly to incidents of political violence, thuggery and dangerous campaign conduct across the country.
He maintained that no political ambition was worth the loss of human lives, urging politicians to place national interest above personal or party gains. According to him, Nigerians deserve a peaceful environment where they can freely choose their leaders without fear, coercion or manipulation.
The commission also vowed to intensify its battle against vote buying, describing the practice as one of the greatest threats to credible elections. Amupitan disclosed that INEC was strengthening cooperation with anti-corruption agencies and the Federal Ministry of Justice to monitor campaign financing and investigate suspicious financial activities linked to elections.
As part of efforts to tackle the problem, he said undercover operatives would be deployed to polling units across the country during elections to identify and apprehend individuals attempting to exchange cash, gifts or other incentives for votes.
He warned political actors that anyone caught engaging in vote trading would face immediate arrest and prosecution under the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, insisting that elections must be determined by voters’ convictions rather than financial inducements.
Amupitan reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to delivering transparent, credible and technology-driven elections. He said INEC would continue improving key electoral technologies, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), to strengthen public confidence and ensure that every legitimate vote is accurately recorded and reflected in election outcomes.
The INEC boss also turned attention to the role of the media, urging editors and journalists to become active partners in protecting the integrity of the electoral process. He expressed concern over the increasing spread of misinformation and fake news, which he said could easily damage public trust in elections.
Recalling a previous incident in which a false report claimed National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members had been killed during an election in the Federal Capital Territory, Amupitan said such misinformation was capable of creating panic and undermining confidence in democratic institutions.
He described public trust as one of the most valuable assets of any electoral system, warning that unverified reports, deliberate falsehoods and misleading narratives could weaken confidence in elections within a short period.
According to him, when citizens lose faith in electoral processes, the foundations of democratic governance are placed at risk. He therefore called on media organisations to prioritise accuracy, fact-checking and responsible reporting, especially during politically sensitive periods.
To strengthen collaboration between the electoral body and the media, Amupitan proposed the establishment of a regular engagement platform between INEC’s communication team and the leadership of the Nigerian Guild of Editors. The initiative, he said, would help address concerns, improve information flow and ensure that the public receives accurate and timely updates as the country moves closer to the 2027 elections.
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