The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Rivers State has called for deliberate planning, effective coordination and collaboration among stakeholders to ensure a peaceful and credible 2027 general election.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Johnson Alalibo, stated this during an Electoral Risk Management Sensitisation Workshop for Electoral Officers, members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) and other stakeholders in Port Harcourt.
Alalibo said the workshop was necessary to equip electoral officers and stakeholders with the knowledge to identify potential risks and develop effective strategies to manage them ahead of the elections.
He said INEC would continue to provide platforms to promote a common understanding of electoral responsibilities, strengthen institutional relationships and encourage coordinated responses to challenges that could arise during election preparations and implementation.
In her remarks, the Administrative Secretary of INEC in Rivers State, Dr Angela Eboghe, said the workshop provided a practical approach to identifying, assessing, monitoring and managing risks that could affect the electoral process.
She identified security threats, political tensions, environmental challenges and operational difficulties as potential risks that could disrupt election activities, endanger voters and officials, and undermine public confidence in the electoral process if not properly managed.
In a goodwill message, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, represented by CSP James Njoku, said security agencies would leave no stone unturned to ensure peaceful elections in 2027.
Adepoju, who is the co-chairman of ICCES in the state, highlighted internal and external security threats that could affect the electoral process.
Also speaking, the State Director of the National Orientation Agency, Dr Edward Banigo, represented by Mrs Boma Amadi, said peaceful elections required deliberate planning, proper orientation, civic education and efforts to counter electoral disinformation.
The workshop is aimed at identifying electoral risk factors, improving early warning and response mechanisms, and strengthening collaboration among stakeholders.
Participants included Electoral Officers from the 23 local government areas of Rivers State, ICCES members and media representatives.
During breakout sessions, participants assessed risks such as the abduction of electoral personnel, bombings, cultism, voter suppression, religious rivalry and the unlawful use of security agents, drawing on experiences from previous elections.
The data gathered from the sessions will be used to guide security planning and the deployment of personnel to support a peaceful, free and fair electoral process in Rivers State.
