From David Onuoja, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the National Peace Committee (NPC), have formed a strategic collaboration to ensure a peaceful and secure Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election, come February 21st, 2026.
The collaboration was announced on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at INEC’s Abuja headquarters, where NPC members met with INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN.
Prof. Amupitan while addressing them, emphasised that 2026 is a critical preparatory year for the 2027 General Election, highlighting the need for proactive collaboration to manage emerging security risks.
He commended the NPC for establishing an Election Security Information (ESI), Hub, which has identified potential flashpoints in AMAC, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Bwari Area Councils.
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The ESI Hub has tracked incidents of election-related violence and electoral offences, providing valuable insights to inform security coordination. INEC will share this information with security agencies to prevent and respond to potential threats. The Commission has also charged security agencies to be vigilant against vote buying and related offences.
Rev. Fr. Atta Barkindo, Executive Director of the Kukah Centre and Head of Secretariat of the National Peace Committee, assured INEC of the Committee’s support for the FCT election and future polls. He highlighted the Committee’s evidence-based approach to conflict prevention and electoral risk mitigation.
The FCT election is scheduled for February 21, 2026, and involves 1,680,315 registered voters across 2,822 polling units. INEC has completed preparatory activities, including delivering non-sensitive materials, training electoral officers, and configuring BVAS devices.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Amupitan equally called for heightened security coordination, emphasising that elections succeed when institutions work together. Saying, the Commission will conduct a nationwide voter revalidation exercise ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The partnership between INEC and the National Peace Committee aims at promoting peaceful conduct and ensure credible elections in the FCT and beyond. With coordinated action among stakeholders, the FCT election is expected to be conducted peacefully and credibly.
