2027 Elections: ICPC to Deploy Armed Personnel for Election Monitoring

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has announced plans to deploy armed personnel to monitor Nigeria’s 2027 general elections as part of efforts to strengthen the fight against electoral corruption.

The commission disclosed that some of its personnel had undergone training to carry arms and would be deployed during the election monitoring exercise.

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The Director of Public Education at the ICPC, Demola Bakare, made this known during a virtual National Stakeholders Workshop on the 2027 General Election, organised by Praxis in partnership with the Human Resources Development Centre, University of Lagos.

The workshop, which is scheduled to run for three Thursdays in November, focuses on identifying, monitoring and reporting corrupt practices capable of undermining the credibility of the forthcoming elections.

Bakare said election monitoring should not begin on the day of voting but several months before the exercise. He stressed that monitors must understand the relevant electoral and criminal laws before carrying out their assignments.

According to him, electoral corruption thrives when individuals involved in the process engage in fraudulent activities without fear of punishment.

“Elections usually become corrupt because it is a political competition. Electoral fraud thrives when everyone engages in it,” he said.

He maintained that enforcing the law and punishing individuals found guilty of electoral offences would serve as a deterrent to others who might want to manipulate the process.

ICPC identifies threats to credible elections

Bakare listed bribery, vote buying, misuse of public resources, intimidation, procurement fraud and manipulation of electoral records among the practices that could compromise the credibility of elections.

He warned that these activities could undermine the purpose of democracy by allowing powerful political interests to influence electoral outcomes instead of giving citizens the freedom to choose their leaders.

The ICPC director also cautioned election monitors against political bias, urging them to remain neutral and avoid identifying with any political party or candidate.

He said monitors must operate within the limits of the law while taking necessary precautions to protect themselves during field assignments.

Bakare further emphasised the importance of preserving evidence gathered during election monitoring, explaining that properly documented materials could become useful in court proceedings where electoral offences are challenged.

He urged monitors to submit reports containing clear, verifiable and actionable information to the appropriate authorities and ensure that their findings receive the necessary follow-up.

ICPC calls for public participation

The commission also stressed that conducting elections alone does not automatically guarantee good democratic governance, noting that citizens must be able to hold elected leaders accountable.

Bakare referenced the June 12, 1993 presidential election, which remains a major point of discussion in Nigeria’s electoral history, saying its continued recognition as a benchmark for credible elections demonstrates that the country can still achieve a transparent electoral process.

He called on Nigerians to take an active interest in protecting the integrity of the 2027 general elections.

The planned deployment of armed ICPC personnel represents a significant aspect of the commission’s proposed monitoring strategy. However, the commission’s announcement did not provide further details on the number of personnel involved, the specific locations of deployment or the operational arrangements for carrying arms during the exercise.