The Independent National Electoral Commission, on Friday, held a meeting with members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, urging them to step up preparations ahead of the critical electoral activities scheduled for the next six months.

The meeting, attended by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and representatives of various intelligence and security bodies, was held at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Addressing the gathering, INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, noted that the commission was entering a busy electoral season, with several activities demanding significant security deployment.

“Over the next six months, the commission has scheduled a number of elections and electoral activities. Today’s meeting is holding in the middle of two electoral activities. Three of these activities require security deployment,” Yakubu said.

The first activity highlighted was a round of by-elections set to hold on Saturday, August 16, 2025.

The by-election will take place in 16 constituencies across 12 states, covering 32 local government, 356 wards, and nearly 7,000 polling units.

“These by-elections will fill vacancies in two senatorial districts, five federal constituencies, and nine state assembly constituencies,” stated.

In addition to the by-elections, two court-ordered rerun elections will be conducted in Enugu South I State Constituency (Enugu State) and Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency (Kano State), both previously disrupted by violence and thuggery.

The second activity is the off-cycle Anambra State governorship election, scheduled for November 8, 2025. The commission will resume Continuous Voter Registration in the state from July 8 to July 17 across all 326 Wards.

Despite improved security conditions compared to the previous gubernatorial election, the INEC chairman emphasised the need for vigilance.

“Although the security situation in the State is calmer than what it was on the eve of the last Governorship election four years ago, I urge you to use the CVR to fine-tune your preparations for securing the forthcoming elections,” he appealed.

The third activity is the resumption of the CVR nationwide, beginning with the online pre-registration of voters on August18, 2025, followed by the in-person registration on 25th August 2025.

The chairman further acknowledged concerns raised by political parties, civil society groups, and the media regarding certain flashpoints and potential threats.

“As we plan for the bye-elections, the Anambra State Governorship election and the resumption of the CVR, I call on the security agencies to make adequate and proactive arrangements for the protection of personnel and assets to be deployed by the Commission and all stakeholders for these activities.

“There are some specific areas of security concern raised at our consultative meetings with Political Parties, Civil Society Organisations and the media earlier this week.

“These concerns will be presented to you for your necessary action at this meeting,” he added.

In his remarks, Ribadu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring peaceful, free, and credible elections across Nigeria.

His message was delivered by the Director of Internal Security at the Office of the NSA, Hassan Abdullahi.

Ribadu emphasised the importance of protecting the integrity of the elections (FCT Area Council elections, by-elections, and governorship election

“Our primary objective remains to safeguard the integrity of the upcoming elections. We must ensure that eligible voters exercise their right to vote without fear or intimidation,” he said.

The NSA noted that security agencies will enhance intelligence operations and proactive strategies, especially in states considered high-risk due to the activities of subversive elements.

“The security component of ICCES will, among other things, intensify intelligence efforts to monitor and pre-empt any threats to these elections and provide real-time intelligence to enable the implementation of proactive measures,” he stated.

Ribadu warned that non-state actors and desperate political elements must not be allowed to disrupt the process.

He also highlighted the importance of engaging political stakeholders to reduce tensions during the election period.

“We will also maintain dialogue with the leadership of political parties and candidates to foster understanding and reduce tensions,” he said, noting that such engagements have proven effective in the past.

While emphasising the need for utmost professionalism during the upcoming elections, Mahmood said, “Political actors and their supporters in the affected States and the FCT are warned to conduct themselves with decorum and respect for the democratic process, as any form of electoral violence and malpractices has no place in our elections.”