ELECTION: PRESIDENT AND GOVERNORS WILL NOT INFLUENCE 2026, 2027 ELECTIONS

ELECTION: PRESIDENT AND GOVERNORS WILL NOT INFLUENCE 2026, 2027 ELECTIONS - INEC CHAIRMAN, JOASH AMUPITAN VOWS

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to conducting free, fair, and credible elections in 2027, aiming to set a benchmark for Africa. INEC chairman Joash Amupitan made the statement on Friday in Lagos during the commission’s ‘2026 Induction and Strategic Retreat’ for its leadership and senior officials.

Addressing commissioners, resident electoral commissioners, administrative secretaries, directors, and top management staff, Amupitan emphasised that the 2027 elections present a historic chance to rewrite Nigeria’s electoral history and establish INEC as a model of integrity and efficiency in Africa. “The eyes of over 200 million Nigerians and the entire continent are upon us,” he said, urging staff to prepare for demanding work and intense scrutiny.

Amupitan highlighted five non-negotiable pillars guiding INEC’s mandate: elections must be free from interference, fair to all contestants, credible internationally, transparent at all stages, and inclusive of every Nigerian, including first-time voters and those with disabilities. He noted the growing influence of young, tech-savvy Nigerians who expect real-time transparency and accountability, stressing the need for trustworthy, technologically robust systems.

He also stressed the importance of the legal framework in safeguarding elections and outlined upcoming critical polls as preparatory exercises, including the FCT council elections in February 2026 and off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun, which will test INEC’s readiness.

Amupitan urged staff to ensure that under their watch, INEC becomes globally recognised as Africa’s leading election management body, demonstrating that Nigerian elections can be world-class, transparent, and technologically advanced.

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