Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has called on anti-corruption and security agencies to intensify efforts against vote buying and what he described as “vote trading” ahead of upcoming elections.
Speaking during a visit by the National Peace Committee, Amupitan said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the Nigeria Police Force had been placed on alert to curb electoral malpractice.
“We specifically charged the Nigeria Police, the EFCC, and also the ICPC to be on guard so that we can arrest the menace of vote buying and what some people call ‘vote trading,” he said.
The INEC chairman said the commission would act promptly on security intelligence and risk assessments submitted by the Peace Committee ahead of the February 21, 2026, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.
“You have presented to us a very great piece of information. We are not going to take it for granted. We are going to be sharing this with our security department so that we can at least take this information and take the necessary steps that we are supposed to take,” he said.
Amupitan disclosed that the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) would receive “special scrutiny and attention,” alongside Bwari and Kuje Area Councils, based on concerns raised.
He described the Peace Accord signed by political parties before elections as a binding social contract and noted that activities in 2026 are critical to preparations for the 2027 general election.
“It regards 2026 as our preparatory year for the 2027 general election,” he told the delegation.
Leader of the Peace Committee delegation, Rev. Fr. Atta Barkindo, apologised for the delay in formally engaging with the new INEC leadership and pledged continued collaboration.
“We want to assure the new INEC Chairman that the National Peace Committee is available, open and accessible to working with the Commission—ensuring that the elections that will happen, the Area Council elections, the governorship elections, future state elections, ahead of the 2027 general elections—we are fully behind the Commission to give the Commission all the necessary support and strategic guidance that will be required,” he said.
Barkindo said the committee’s Election Security and Information Hub had developed field networks across states to gather data on insecurity, violence and conflict trends, adding that its interventions are evidence-based.
The Peace Committee identified AMAC, Gwagwalada, Bwari and Kuje as potential hotspots requiring heightened vigilance. It cited concerns over vote buying and threats among political actors in AMAC, indigene-settler tensions and political thuggery in Gwagwalada, farmer-herder conflicts and kidnapping incidents in Bwari, and security vulnerabilities affecting Kwali due to instability in neighbouring states.
The committee said its monitoring framework tracks both pre-election violence that could impact the process and electoral offences in line with the Peace Accord
