The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has reaffirmed the commission’s neutrality ahead of the 2027 general election, declaring that it has no candidate or political party to favour.
Amupitan stated this during a visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, as part of INEC’s stakeholder engagement and preparations for the 2027 elections.
According to a post on INEC’s X handle on Sunday, the visit formed part of activities ahead of the commission’s planned interactive meeting with staff and its zonal-level readiness assessment.
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 senior officials of the commission.
Amupitan described traditional institutions as critical stakeholders in the electoral process, citing their influence and extensive reach within communities.
He said elections were fundamentally about the social contract between citizens and those entrusted with public office, stressing that public trust remained essential to the success of democracy.
The INEC chairman said the commission had commenced preparations early because of the size and complexity of conducting elections across Nigeria.
He explained that the commission had moved away from last-minute preparations and was instead testing, auditing and strengthening its operational systems well ahead of the 2027 polls.
Amupitan assured the Emir that INEC remained committed to neutrality, fairness and transparency in the conduct of elections.
“We have no candidates, we have no political party, we have no interest other than the sovereign will of the people of Nigeria,” he said.
He added that the commission would continue to engage traditional institutions and other stakeholders as it intensifies preparations for the 2027 general election.
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