By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD
ASABA, Delta State – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State has convened a stakeholders and security agencies meeting in Asaba to strengthen security preparedness and inter-agency collaboration ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The meeting, held on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at the INEC Local Government Area office in Oshimili South, brought together representatives of various security agencies, political parties, traditional institutions, religious organisations, government agencies, community leaders and youth groups.
The meeting focused on developing effective strategies to ensure peaceful, free, fair and credible elections before, during and after the 2027 general elections.
Addressing participants, the Oshimili South Electoral Officer, Mrs Imaobong Emmanuel, emphasised the importance of collective responsibility, cooperation and effective coordination among stakeholders in ensuring a successful electoral process.
Emmanuel said the meeting provided an opportunity to assess security preparedness, identify potential challenges, strengthen inter-agency collaboration and develop practical measures to maintain peace and order throughout the electoral period.
She called on security agencies and other stakeholders to uphold professionalism, neutrality, intelligence sharing and timely response to security concerns, while ensuring respect for the rights of voters and other electoral participants.
The Electoral Officer also urged stakeholders to work collectively to discourage electoral violence, voter intimidation, vote buying and other electoral offences capable of undermining the credibility of the elections.
She reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting transparent, credible and acceptable elections, stressing that the commission required the collective support and cooperation of all stakeholders to achieve the objective.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Chief Orientation, Information and Mobilisation Officer (COMO) of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Oshimili South, Comrade Abel Johngold, expressed concern over reported incidents of violence during political party road rallies in Asaba and the Warri axis.
Johngold’s concerns underscored the need for political parties and their supporters to embrace peaceful political campaigns, exercise restraint and respect the rights of other political groups as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
Other participants included representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Army, Nigeria Immigration Service and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), as well as representatives of political parties, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), traditional rulers, community leaders, youth leaders and other stakeholders.
The gathering provided a platform for stakeholders to deliberate on security concerns, promote cooperation among relevant institutions and strengthen measures to prevent electoral violence and other threats to the democratic process.
The meeting ended with a renewed call for sustained collaboration, peaceful political engagement and active participation by all stakeholders in ensuring that the 2027 general elections in Oshimili South are conducted in a peaceful, free, fair and credible atmosphere.