The state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Ayobami Salami, disclosed this at a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, where he called for greater cooperation and public support for the effective implementation of the commission’s electoral plans.
Salami said INEC was strengthening preparations in logistics, personnel deployment, election security, voter education and accessibility to ensure a smooth electoral process.
He noted that the commission had moved from strategic planning to operational implementation, with nine of the 14 scheduled milestones for the 2027 elections completed as of 6 October.
On election security, the REC said INEC would sustain collaboration with relevant security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), led by the Nigeria Police Force.
He said the partnership was intended to identify potential threats, assess electoral risks and develop measures to prevent violence and other disruptions during the elections.
Meanwhile, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations Against Corruption (COCSOAC) has urged Nigerians to exercise restraint over allegations of ethnic favouritism and political interference in the redeployment of INEC officials.
The coalition, alongside more than 33 partner organisations, said allegations concerning personnel changes within the electoral commission should not be regarded as established facts without independent verification and evidence of wrongdoing.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the coalition’s president, Bola Ademola, and its National Secretary, Abdulfatah Aliyu, said the group had taken note of an online publication alleging questionable staff redeployments within INEC.
The controversy followed allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that recent postings to strategic departments could favour officials from Lagos and other South-West states.
COCSOAC said it had not independently verified the reported redeployments or the alleged motives behind them, warning against drawing premature conclusions about political interference or ethnic bias.
The coalition called on Nigerians to allow evidence to guide public discussions and avoid claims that could undermine confidence in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a related development, former presidential candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has identified public distrust, insecurity, logistical difficulties, dissatisfaction with candidates and perceptions that election outcomes are predetermined as factors contributing to declining voter turnout in Nigeria.
He also warned that widespread poverty was limiting citizens’ ability to participate meaningfully in the democratic process.
Olawepo-Hashim raised the concerns while delivering a keynote address at a colloquium in Abuja marking the 60th birthday of civic advocate Ezenwa Nwagwu. He was represented at the event by the Vice-Chancellor of Baze University, Prof. Abiodun Adeniyi.
Citing figures from International IDEA, as referenced in his address, the former presidential candidate said turnout in Nigeria’s presidential elections declined from 69.08 per cent in 2003 to 26.71 per cent in 2023.
He argued that the trend highlighted the need to address the factors discouraging citizens from voting rather than blaming them for disengaging from the electoral process.
Olawepo-Hashim urged electoral authorities to rebuild public confidence by making elections safer, more accessible, transparent and meaningful to voters.
He maintained that restoring trust in the electoral system would be essential to encouraging greater participation and strengthening democratic governance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
