2027: INEC Has No Preferred Candidate, Chairman Amupitan Declares

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has declared that the commission has no preferred candidate or political party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Amupitan made the clarification during a visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, as part of engagements ahead of INEC’s zonal interactive meeting and readiness assessment for the 2027 elections.

The INEC chairman stressed that the commission’s only interest was to ensure that the will of Nigerian voters was respected, while assuring stakeholders of its commitment to neutrality, fairness and transparency.

According to him, INEC has commenced preparations early for the 2027 elections in view of the size and complexity of conducting elections across the country.

He explained that the commission had moved away from last-minute preparations and was already testing, auditing and strengthening its operational systems ahead of the polls.

Amupitan also identified traditional institutions as important stakeholders in the electoral process, noting their influence and reach at the grassroots.

He urged the Emir to use his position to counsel political parties, candidates and their supporters against violence, hate speech and other activities capable of undermining peaceful elections.

The INEC chairman further appealed to young Nigerians not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of political violence, stressing that elections should be viewed as a peaceful means through which citizens express their choices.

He also encouraged eligible voters to participate actively in the electoral process, including the forthcoming collection of their Permanent Voter Cards.

Responding, the Emir of Zazzau commended the INEC delegation for the engagement and urged the commission to ensure that sensitive electoral materials and equipment were delivered to polling locations on time.

Bamalli also called for thorough testing of election devices before deployment, improved security arrangements, timely dissemination of electoral information and prompt announcement of results.

He appealed to political parties and their supporters to conduct their campaigns responsibly and avoid hate speech and other actions capable of threatening national unity.

The Emir said sustained engagement among INEC, traditional institutions, political actors, security agencies and the electorate would be important to strengthening confidence in the 2027 electoral process.