The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, on Wednesday warned that the scale of insecurity across different parts of Nigeria poses a major threat to the conduct of free and fair elections.

Amupitan made the remark during a visit to the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, in Abuja, as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.

He said the prevailing security challenges, including violence and threats to electoral processes, could undermine credible polls if not properly addressed.

Amupitan said, “In Nigeria, our electoral system has placed numerous challenges over the years, ranging from malpractices to threats of violence, vote trading that undermine the confidence of the electorates.

“These challenges not only affect the outcome of our elections, but also pose significant risks to our national security. Thus, it is imperative that we address these concerns with utmost seriousness and resolve. In this regard, I would like to emphasise the importance of the proactive security measures.

“The scale of insecurity across the various parts of Nigeria presents a threat to the conduct of the fair election. It is essential that we carry out total security risk analysis ahead of the election and this will enable us to identify potential flashpoints and deploy appropriate strategies to mitigate risks, thereby safeguarding voters, electoral officials and the integrity of the electoral process.”

According to him, such measures would help identify flashpoints and enable the deployment of strategies to safeguard voters, electoral officials and the integrity of the process.

Amupitan noted that elections scheduled for January 16, 2027 (presidential) and February 6, 2027 (governorship and state assemblies) require strong collaboration between INEC and security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police, which leads electoral security operations.

He added that ongoing electoral activities, including party congresses and forthcoming primaries under the Electoral Act 2026, further heighten the need for proactive security planning.

The INEC chairman also highlighted upcoming off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, as well as several by-elections across the country, describing them as critical tests for Nigeria’s democracy.

On humanitarian concerns, Amupitan drew attention to Internally Displaced Persons camps across the country, insisting that displaced citizens must not be disenfranchised.

“I also want to draw attention to several IDP camps that are scattered all over Nigeria.

Let me say that it is their right to also vote, and they must not be disenfranchised.

“As the electoral body, we are doing everything to ensure that all those in IDP camps are given the conducive environment to exercise their franchise, and also the people with disabilities. So therefore, we commend all these people, categories of persons, persons in IDP camps, as well as persons with disabilities to the IG for special attention and care,” he said.

Responding, the Inspector-General of Police assured that the Force would adopt intelligence-led deployment and preventive policing strategies to address emerging threats such as political violence, arms proliferation, cyber manipulation, and attacks on electoral infrastructure.

Disu said the police had commenced nationwide threat assessments and intelligence mapping, and would work closely with other security agencies to ensure adequate protection of electoral personnel, materials and facilities.

He also pledged strict enforcement of electoral laws, warning that offenders involved in vote-buying, ballot snatching, voter intimidation and destruction of electoral materials would be arrested and prosecuted.

The police chief further emphasised the importance of inter-agency collaboration, real-time intelligence sharing, and training of personnel to ensure professionalism and public confidence in the electoral process.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the appointments of Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as Minister of Power, giving legislative backing to President Bola Tinubu’s latest cabinet reshuffle aimed at strengthening diplomacy and stabilising the country’s troubled electricity sector.

The confirmations followed the nominees’ screening at plenary, where they were subjected to scrutiny and responded to questions from lawmakers before being cleared by the Committee of the Whole.

President Tinubu, in separate letters transmitted on Tuesday, sought the Senate’s approval for the appointments in line with constitutional provision.

The requests were read on the floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The letter partly read, “In compliance with the provisions of Section 147(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, I am pleased to forward for confirmation by the Senate the nomination of Ambassador Shola Enikolaye as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Please accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest regards,” he added.

The nomination was subsequently referred to the Committee of the Whole for urgent consideration, in line with Senate procedure for cabinet nominees.

In a separate correspondence, Tinubu also sought legislative approval for Tegbe.

The letter partly read, “In compliance with the provisions of Section 147(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), I am pleased to forward for confirmation by the Senate the nomination of Mr Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“While I hope this request will receive the expeditious consideration of the Senate, please accept the assurances of my highest regards.”

Akpabio, after reading the letter, referred the nomination to the Committee of the Whole for immediate consideration.

“This correspondence is referred to the Committee of the Whole for immediate action,” he said.

He also assured that the upper chamber would prioritise the requests, fast-tracking the screening and confirmation process.

Enikanolaiye’s confirmation formalises his return to the forefront of Nigeria’s foreign policy architecture. A career diplomat with over three decades of service, he was nominated in April as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

The Kogi State-born envoy, who hails from Igbagun in Yagba East Local Government Area, previously served as Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and International Relations and rose to the rank of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

His diplomatic career spans key postings in Addis Ababa, Belgrade, Ottawa, London and New Delhi, positioning him as a seasoned hand expected to support Nigeria’s international engagements at a time of shifting global alliances.

Tegbe’s appointment, on the other hand, comes at a critical juncture for Nigeria’s power sector, which continues to grapple with grid instability, liquidity shortfalls and infrastructure deficits despite ongoing reforms under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

His nomination follows the exit of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, who resigned in March 2026 to pursue the Oyo State governorship race ahead of the 2027 elections, in compliance with a directive mandating political appointees seeking elective office to step down.

In an earlier statement, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the nomination was intended to reinforce reforms, improve grid reliability and unlock investment into the sector.

Tegbe, an indigene of Oyo State, brings over three decades of experience in fiscal policy and economic reform across both public and private sectors. He is a former Senior Partner and Head of Advisory Services at KPMG Africa and currently serves as Director-General and Global Liaison for the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership.

He also chaired the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee inaugurated in 2025 and has been actively involved in regulatory and institutional reforms within the electricity sector.

Nigeria and the United States have inaugurated Defence Institutional Technical Working Groups to strengthen security cooperation and address terrorism and regional instability.

This was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday.

It said the inauguration, held under the 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap, was aimed at enhancing institutional capacity and improving joint efforts to tackle evolving security challenges.

The head of the U.S. delegation, Cate Dave, said the initiative would support strategic planning and help deny terrorists safe havens.

He restated the importance of institutional development in achieving effective counterterrorism outcomes.

On his part, the leader of the Nigerian delegation, AVM Francis Edosa, described the partnership as critical to addressing security threats in Nigeria and the wider region.

Mr Edosa said the collaboration would focus on strengthening the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s warfighting capabilities and improving its responsiveness to security challenges.

He added that the initiative would help restore lasting peace and stability across the country.

Both sides underscored the need for practical outcomes, accountability and sustained collaboration to enhance security and regional stability.