The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, has reaffirmed the commission’s neutrality ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that the electoral body has no preferred candidate or political party and would focus on protecting the choices made by Nigerian voters.
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Amupitan gave the assurance during a visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, in Zaria, Kaduna State, as INEC intensifies stakeholder engagements and conducts readiness assessments ahead of the nationwide elections.
“We have no candidates, we have no political party, we have no interest other than the sovereign will of the people of Nigeria,” the INEC chairman said.
The visit formed part of activities connected with the commission’s planned interactive engagement with its staff and assessment of electoral preparedness at the zonal level.
Amupitan was accompanied by National Commissioners, the Acting Director-General of the Electoral Institute and other senior officials of the commission.
The INEC chairman described traditional institutions as important stakeholders in Nigeria’s electoral process because of their influence and ability to reach citizens at the grassroots.
He said elections concerned the relationship between citizens and those entrusted with public office, stressing that public confidence in the electoral process remained important to the functioning of democracy.
Amupitan said INEC had begun preparations well ahead of the 2027 polls because of the size and complexity of organising nationwide elections.
According to him, the commission was moving away from last-minute preparations and was already testing, auditing and strengthening its operational systems ahead of the exercise.
He assured the Emir that INEC would pursue neutrality, fairness and transparency throughout the electoral process.
The chairman also appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters not to regard the 2027 elections as a do-or-die contest, urging them instead to pursue peaceful and issue-based campaigns.
He called on traditional rulers to use their influence within their communities to discourage violence, hate-driven campaigns and the recruitment of young Nigerians for political thuggery.
Amupitan also urged eligible citizens to participate actively in the electoral process, including by collecting their Permanent Voter Cards, stressing the importance of informed voter participation to democratic governance.
Responding, the Emir of Zazzau welcomed the engagement and urged INEC to ensure that sensitive election materials and equipment are delivered to voting locations on time.
Bamalli also called on the commission to thoroughly test technological devices before deployment, strengthen security arrangements and ensure that election results are announced promptly in order to sustain public confidence in the process.
The traditional ruler similarly urged political parties and their supporters to conduct their campaigns responsibly and avoid hate speech or other conduct capable of threatening peace and national unity.
INEC’s engagement in Zaria comes as the commission steps up preparations for the 2027 general elections, including operational assessments and consultations with stakeholders across the country.
Amupitan said the commission would continue engaging traditional institutions and other stakeholders as preparations progress, maintaining that INEC’s responsibility is to administer the electoral process without preference for any candidate or political party.
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