As part of efforts to strengthen stakeholder collaboration ahead of the 2027 General Elections, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Gombe State, Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris, has commenced a strategic familiarization tour, beginning with visits to members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
The first point of call was the office of the Commissioner of Police and Co-Chair of ICCES, CP Bello Yahaya, where Dr. Idris emphasized the indispensable role of security agencies in delivering credible, free, and fair elections. He noted that effective electoral outcomes rest largely on a stable and secure environment, which security agencies help to guarantee.
“As the 2027 General Elections approach, we will rely on your support and cooperation to deliver on our mandate,” Dr. Idris stated, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to deepening collaboration with key actors in the electoral process.
He disclosed that the decision to kick-start the engagement with security agencies reflects their critical function in the electoral architecture. “Security is the backbone of credible elections. That is why I am beginning this stakeholder tour here,” he said.
Dr. Idris went further to express his readiness to personally lead training sessions for security operatives ahead of the polls if necessary, reinforcing INEC’s commitment to professionalism in the conduct of its duties.
The REC also used the opportunity to brief the Police Commissioner on the forthcoming Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise. According to him, the online pre-registration is scheduled to commence on August 18, 2025, while in-person registration will follow from August 25, 2025, at the Commission’s State Office and across all 11 Local Government Area offices in Gombe State.
He called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to ensure a peaceful environment during the CVR, and encouraged officers to take advantage of the exercise to update their records. “This is important because if the ongoing constitutional and electoral amendments are successful, security personnel involved in election duties may be able to vote in future elections,” he added.
In response, CP Bello Yahaya welcomed the REC and commended his proactive approach. He assured the electoral body of the Command’s unflinching support for all Commission activities, particularly in securing the upcoming registration exercise and the elections. He also welcomed the offer of training, acknowledging the value of Dr. Idris’s expertise in electoral processes.
Continuing his courtesy tour, Dr. Idris visited the Commander of the 301 Artillery Regiment (General Support) of the Nigerian Army, Col. Abubakar Mohammed, at his office along Yola Road. The meeting centered on building synergy between the military and INEC in election security planning.
The day’s engagements ended at the Gombe State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), where Dr. Idris was received by the State Commandant, Jibrin Idris. Both men discussed collaborative strategies for election-related operations, with the Commandant pledging full support for the Commission’s activities.
Dr. Idris’s stakeholder tour signals a deliberate effort to foster institutional trust, professionalism, and seamless coordination ahead of a busy electoral calendar in the state.
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