The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has expressed confidence that the 2027 general election will be free, fair and a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey, as the eyes of over 200 million Nigerians and the wider African continent focus on the process.
Amupitan also vowed to apply the 2022 Electoral Act and subsequent amendments “with surgical precision,” stressing that under his leadership, the rule of law would not be a suggestion but an operating system within INEC.
He spoke at the opening ceremony of the commission’s 2026 two-day induction and strategic retreat for newly appointed national commissioners and resident electoral commissioners, held in Lagos.
According to him, the retreat is addressing 17 critical thematic areas, including election security and inter-agency collaboration to ensure voters are not intimidated, as well as political party management, internal democracy and transparency in party financing.
“Our goal is clear: the 2027 General Election must be free and fair and be a watershed moment in Nigeria’s election history. But we must aim even higher. I want us to build an institution that is recognised globally,” Amupitan said.
He added that INEC must aspire to become the best election management body in Africa, setting continental standards in integrity, technological efficiency and democratic values.
“Our success in 2027 must be more than a national victory. It must be a continental benchmark that proves INEC can conduct a world-class, technologically driven and transparent election beyond reproach,” he said.
Amupitan reaffirmed his commitment to staff welfare, while warning that misconduct would not be tolerated. He said excellence would be demanded, but the commission would also provide the tools and environment required for success.
While describing the 2027 election as the ultimate destination, he noted that INEC must first successfully conduct the February 2026 FCT Area Council elections, followed by off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.
He said INEC’s mandate rests on five non-negotiable pillars: elections that are free from interference, fair to all contestants, credible in the eyes of the global community, transparent from polling units to collation, and inclusive of all Nigerians regardless of location or physical ability.
Amupitan also emphasised the need to build trust among young, first-time voters, describing them as tech-savvy and often sceptical. He said credible systems and reliable technology were essential to securing their long-term faith in democracy.
“We are not just conducting an election; we are securing the lifelong loyalty of Nigeria’s future to the ideals of the ballot,” he said.
The INEC chairman further pledged to address perennial challenges related to logistics, ad-hoc staff and transportation, and to ensure that Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and revalidation exercises remain beyond reproach.
Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Lagos State, Prof. Ayobami Salami, described the retreat as a strategic platform to strengthen leadership capacity, deepen institutional understanding and enhance operational preparedness ahead of the 2027 polls.
Friday Olokor, Abuja
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