By Abubakar Abdullahi
In a decisive move to strengthen election preparedness in Gombe State, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Sa’ad Umar Idris, has commenced a series of high-level courtesy visits to key stakeholders, beginning with members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
The engagement kicked off with a visit to the Commissioner of Police in Gombe State, CP Bello Yahaya, who also serves as the Co-Chair of ICCES.
During the meeting, Dr. Idris emphasized the critical role of security agencies in delivering credible and peaceful elections, particularly as the 2027 General Elections draw near.
“As the 2027 General Elections approach, we will rely on your support and cooperation to deliver on our mandate,” Dr. Idris stated, stressing that the integrity of the electoral process depends heavily on the conduct and professionalism of security personnel.
The REC said his decision to begin the familiarization tour with security agencies was intentional, acknowledging their strategic importance to the Commission’s operations. He went further to offer his personal commitment to the training of security operatives ahead of electoral activities.
“If need be, I myself will lead the training,” Dr. Idris pledged, underscoring the urgency and seriousness with which INEC is approaching election security.
He also briefed CP Yahaya on the upcoming Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which is scheduled to commence with online pre-registration on August 18, 2025, and in-person registration beginning on August 25, 2025, at INEC’s State Office and the 11 Local Government Area offices across Gombe State.
Dr. Idris called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to provide maximum support to ensure the CVR exercise is smooth, safe, and inclusive. He also encouraged officers to participate in the exercise by updating their voter details, transferring registration where necessary, and replacing lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
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“This is important because if the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and proposed amendments to the Electoral Act 2022 succeed, security personnel involved in election duties may finally have the opportunity to vote,” he added.
In response, CP Bello Yahaya commended the REC for initiating the visit and assured him of the unwavering support of the Gombe State Police Command for all INEC activities. He also welcomed the idea of collaborative training efforts, noting that the Command stood to benefit greatly from Dr. Idris’s extensive experience in election management.
Continuing his engagement tour, the REC later visited Colonel Abubakar Mohammed, Commander of the 301 Artillery Regiment (General Support) of the Nigerian Army, located along Yola Road in Gombe. The military expressed full readiness to collaborate with the Commission to ensure peaceful electoral processes.
Dr. Idris concluded the day’s activities with a stop at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Gombe State Command, where he was warmly received by State Commandant Jibrin Idris.
The NSCDC pledged its complete cooperation and support for all upcoming electoral events in the state.
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As Gombe gears up for a new electoral cycle, these strategic engagements by the REC underscore INEC’s proactive approach in fostering synergy with security stakeholders, ensuring a secure and credible electoral process for all citizens.
