DSS Arrests Suspects Over Plot To Target INEC Personnel Ahead Of 2027 Elections  

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested some suspects over an alleged plot to target ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheduled to participate in the 2027 general elections.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), disclosed this at a stakeholders’ meeting in Enugu, attributing the discovery of the plot to intelligence provided by the DSS.

He did not reveal the identities of the suspects, the circumstances surrounding their arrests or the details of the alleged plot. The motive for targeting the election personnel was also not disclosed.

Amupitan said those arrested would face prosecution, noting that INEC was working to tackle security threats that could affect the electoral process before, during and after the polls.

He also announced plans for a security conference to deliberate on issues affecting the safety and integrity of elections.

On electoral transparency, the INEC chairman said the commission was improving its result management processes, including through the introduction of the eEC8A electronic verification platform.

According to him, the initiative would enable the real-time tracking and verification of results as they move from polling units to the national collation centre through the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

Amupitan also instructed officials to examine Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) records across the Southeast and address challenges hindering the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

He stressed that administrative lapses and logistical difficulties should not prevent eligible Nigerians from exercising their voting rights.

The INEC chairman explained that the commission introduced an online registration portal in the third phase of the exercise to make voter registration more accessible by eliminating barriers associated with distance and time.

He added that INEC had activated printable PVC technology in line with Section 18(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 to minimise delays in the issuance of voter cards.

Amupitan said the 2027 general elections would cover more than 103 million registered voters across 176,846 polling units in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, while the governorship and state House of Assembly elections will take place on February 6.

He praised INEC personnel for their work during recent off-cycle governorship elections in Osun, Anambra and Ekiti states, the FCT Area Council elections, and 16 federal and state bye-elections.

However, he identified declining public trust, voter apathy, misinformation and disinformation as key concerns for the commission.

He cautioned that fake news, unverified claims and deepfake videos could erode confidence in the electoral process, emphasising that the professionalism and competence of INEC staff were essential to countering false narratives.