The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has reaffirmed the commission’s neutrality ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying it has no candidates or political party to support.
Amupitan stated this when he visited the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, CFR, as part of the commission’s stakeholder engagement and preparations for the 2027 elections.
The visit was also part of activities ahead of INEC’s planned interactive meeting with staff and readiness assessment at the zonal level.
The INEC chairman was accompanied by National Commissioners, the Acting Director-General of the Electoral Institute, his Chief Press Secretary, Chief Technical Assistant, Chief of Staff, Special Aides and other directors of the commission.
Describing the visit as an important stakeholder engagement, Amupitan said traditional institutions remained critical to the electoral process because of their influence and grassroots reach.
He said, “Traditional institutions are important stakeholders in the electoral process because of their influence and grassroots reach.”
The INEC chairman said elections were fundamentally about the relationship between citizens and those entrusted with public office.
“Elections are fundamentally about the social contract between citizens and those entrusted with public office,” he said.
Amupitan stressed the importance of public confidence in the electoral process, saying, “Public trust remains critical to the success of democracy.”
He explained that INEC had begun preparations early because of the size and complexity of conducting elections across Nigeria.
“We are commencing our preparations early because of the size and complexity of conducting elections in Nigeria,” he said.
According to him, the commission had abandoned last-minute preparations and was already working to test and strengthen its systems ahead of the polls.
“We have moved away from last-minute preparations. We are testing, auditing and strengthening our operational systems well ahead of the 2027 polls,” Amupitan said.
Reaffirming the commission’s neutrality, the INEC chairman told the Emir, “We have no candidates, we have no political party, we have no interest other than the sovereign will of the people of Nigeria.”
He also reiterated INEC’s commitment to conducting the 2027 elections based on neutrality, fairness and transparency.
“We are committed to neutrality, fairness and transparency,” he said.
The chairman said the ongoing engagements with traditional institutions were part of efforts to strengthen stakeholder collaboration and build confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The visit to the Emir of Zazzau forms part of INEC’s wider consultations as the commission intensifies preparations for the 2027 polls.