By joshua ICCES IN KOGI VOWS ZERO TOLERANCE FOR ELECTION VIOLENCE AHEAD OF 2027 POLLS
…Security Chiefs, INEC Set To Meet Political Parties And CSOs On Peaceful Campaigns
Security agencies in Kogi State have pledged stronger collaboration to safeguard the 2027 general elections and ensure that the polls are peaceful, credible and violence-free.
The assurance was given on Monday at a meeting of the Inter-Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES, held in Lokoja.
Briefing journalists after the session, the Chairman of ICCES and Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, said the committee reviewed preparations for the 2027 elections, assessed security implications, and mapped out potential threats across the state.
He said ICCES resolved to deepen inter-agency coordination and stakeholder engagement to prevent violence before, during and after the elections.
“As part of early intervention, we will be meeting with political parties and civil society organisations next Tuesday to discuss campaign guidelines, responsible political communication, and full compliance with electoral laws,” CP Kankarofi stated.
He emphasized that political parties and their supporters must shun hate speech, incitement and violence during campaigns. He added that the engagement would provide an avenue to “rub minds” on expectations for peaceful campaigns and credible elections.
The CP further disclosed that arrangements are underway for political parties and candidates to sign a peace accord as a binding commitment to obey electoral laws and campaign guidelines.
“Our goal is to ensure strict compliance with the law so that eligible voters can exercise their civic rights without fear, intimidation or harassment,” he said.
Also speaking, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, in Kogi and Co-Chairman of ICCES, Shehu Wahab, described ICCES as a “cardinal pillar” of electoral integrity.
He noted that while INEC will provide election materials, personnel and technology, a secure environment remains critical to the credibility of the process.
Wahab acknowledged that some parts of Kogi still face security challenges and stressed that the committee was established to address them through coordinated action by all security agencies.
The REC also raised the issue of logistics, saying INEC does not have enough vehicles to move materials to polling units and will rely on road and marine transport unions.
He warned that electoral violence often starts during campaigns and party primaries, not just on election day.
“From experience, some of the violence we witness on election day actually begins during campaigns. Some even start during party primaries. Unresolved disputes from those stages can spill over to election day, which is why early security intervention is necessary,” Wahab said.
He added that the meeting with political parties and CSOs next week will be the first in a series of engagements ahead of 2027, as INEC has already commenced activities for the election.
The meeting was attended by heads of security agencies and other key stakeholders in the state.