Police, DSS, INEC, others meet parties over 2027 election security in Plateau

The Plateau State Police Command has convened a stakeholders’ meeting with leaders of political parties and their candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, with a strong assurance that security agencies would disappoint those predicting violence in the state.

The meeting, held at the Police Officers’ Mess in Jos on Thursday, was attended by representatives of the Department of State Services, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Nigerian Army, the National Orientation Agency and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).

In his welcome address, the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, CP Faniyan Ayodeji, said the forum was convened to build consensus for a peaceful, credible and transparent electoral process.

CP Ayodeji said the Command was not unaware that Plateau had been flagged as a potential flashpoint as the elections approach, but stressed that proactive measures were already in place.

“We have observed some flashpoints in terms of insecurity, and as the election period approaches, a lot of attention and focus is being directed toward Plateau State. Our duty as security agencies is to disappoint those who are expecting or predicting violence,” he said.

The commissioner disclosed that the Inspector-General of Police had been briefed on the security situation in Plateau and had approved the reinforcement of personnel and logistics to meet emerging challenges.

According to him, the Command was already collaborating with sister agencies to gather intelligence on areas with a history of electoral violence while mapping out threats associated with electioneering activities.

“We are already making preparations — highlighting potential threats in terms of election-related violence and other associated criminality that can be triggered by election activities. We are willing and ready to collaborate with all political parties and aspirants. We will make adequate security plans and provide adequate security protection for all,” he said.

CP Ayodeji listed vote-buying, thuggery, hate speech, incitement to violence, inter- and intra-party conflicts, and the misuse of artificial intelligence and social media as key threats that would be under close watch.

“Some of the challenges we are discussing include the conduct and content of campaigns — especially issues that have the potential to trigger violence, intimidation, or incitement to violence. We are going to talk about vote-buying, thuggery, hate speech, and of course, the role of AI as it affects elections,” he said.

He appealed to political actors to adhere strictly to the Electoral Act and to see elections as a contest, not a war.

“Election is not a do-or-die affair. Election should not ignite violence. Election should not divide us. Every party has ample opportunity to talk to the people and canvass for votes as much as possible, and then we all wait for voting day and let the people make their choice,” he said.

Reiterating the neutrality of the force, CP Ayodeji said: “I want to assure you that the Nigeria Police, as the lead agency in internal security, in collaboration with all other agencies, will guarantee neutrality. We shall be neutral. We have no choice. We have demonstrated this severally in other places. You saw our performance during the recent off-cycle elections in the western states. The Inspector General of Police has issued directives that we must perform even higher than before.”

He assured stakeholders that the Command had sufficient manpower to cover polling units across the state, with patrol vehicles to be deployed for rapid response, while intelligence operations were ongoing to track persons who profit from disturbances.

Speaking in the same vein, the State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Paul Damian, said the Service would work in synergy with other agencies to ensure adequate security.

“We will work in synergy with other sister agencies to provide adequate security during the election,” he said.

Damian observed that if political actors and INEC played their roles responsibly, the burden on security agencies would be significantly reduced.

“Some people have made comments whether the police or the security agents have enough manpower to cover all the places. I was just thinking about it and I came to the conclusion that if INEC and the politicians will conduct themselves and do what is expected of them, you don’t need security agents in all places,” he said.

• Morning recap: Tinubu eyes 56m Northern voters, Atiku challenges INEC, other top stories
• 2027 polls: EU warns of AI fake news, INEC deploys safeguards
• Sule hails DSS, others over arrest of female arms dealer

He added: “On our part, we will do our best to ensure adequate security and personally, I will be neutral and I won’t say more than that. And I will make sure that anybody working under me does their job as expected.”

On her part, the State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs Kaneng Tabitha Pam-Hworo, charged political parties to mobilise their members to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and shun vote-buying.

“Are you ready for this election? Are you ready? Do you have your PVC ready? Your PVC must be ready, so that during the election, you will not resort to vote-buying or compelling people to sell their votes,” she said.

“If on election day you do not have your PVC, please remain at home.”

Pam-Hworo reminded politicians that only one governorship seat was up for grabs and urged them to accept the outcome in good faith.

“In every election, there is a winner and there is a loser. For the governorship of this state, only one seat is available. Only one person will win. Even after the elections, it is very important that we maintain peace,” she said.

She called on party leaders to rein in their supporters, warning that violence at polling units would lead to the cancellation of results.

“To all political parties, especially IPAC — please talk to your members. When there is friction or fighting in any polling unit, you know what happens: the result will be cancelled. Do not let people’s efforts be cancelled and wasted on election day. Do not hire people to cause trouble because you are not winning.”

The NOA director also decried the spread of fake news and character assassination.

“Do not create trouble where there is none. We are tired of running helter-skelter. We are currently enjoying some peace in the state, and we must sustain it. Do not engage in misrepresentation, fake news, and character assassination just to gain political relevance. As mature men and women gathered here, I urge us to maintain our personal integrity.”

Also speaking, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Plateau State, Prof. Sam Egwu, who was represented by the Head of Electoral Operations, said INEC was ready to deliver a peaceful, free and transparent election.

“I speak on behalf of the State Resident Electoral Commissioner. He has asked me to come and confirm from you whether you have reflected on what we discussed three days ago,” he said.

“On our part, I want to assure you that INEC is ready and prepared. Preparation at the state level is almost complete. We are prepared to give you a peaceful, free, and transparent election.”

He disclosed that the Commission was putting measures in place to ensure inclusivity for persons living with disabilities and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

“The Commissioner has also asked me to inform you that this election will be inclusive — meaning all sectors of society will have the opportunity to vote. Whether persons are living with disabilities or are internally displaced, there will be an opportunity for them to vote.”

He listed Wase, Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Bassa and others among the eight to nine local government areas with IDP challenges already identified by the Commission.

“We discussed this matter in detail three days ago. If you have any findings or information regarding IDPs outside those nine Local Governments we identified, please let us know. As we speak, the Commission at the national level is working with some organizations to ensure that IDPs will vote.”

He described the meeting as a feedback mechanism to strengthen preparations for the polls.