The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has assured Nigerians that the 2027 General Election will be free, fair, transparent and anchored on technology, warning that the commission will not tolerate any form of misconduct.
Amupitan gave the assurance in Lagos during the 2026 Induction and Strategic Retreat of the commission, held from January 9 to 10, where he said INEC must adapt to a rapidly changing electoral environment and meet growing public expectations.
“We are gathered here not just as electoral managers, but as custodians of the will of the Nigerian people. This retreat bridges our institutional experience with the innovative demands of a fast-evolving electoral landscape,” he said.
He commended INEC staff for their conduct during the November 2025 Anambra State governorship election, describing it as a strong early test of his leadership.
Looking ahead, Amupitan noted that preparations for 2027 would be shaped by key elections, including the February 2026 Federal Capital Territory Area Council polls and off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.
“These elections are not routine. They are critical testing grounds for our readiness and an opportunity to fine-tune our processes before the 2027 general election,” he said.
The INEC chairman identified five core principles that would guide the commission’s operations: elections that are free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive.
“Our mandate is to deliver elections free from interference, fair to all parties, credible locally and internationally, transparent at every stage, and inclusive of all Nigerians, regardless of ability or location,” he said.
Amupitan stressed the importance of winning the confidence of young, first-time voters, many of whom are digitally savvy and demand real-time transparency.
“Millions of young Nigerians will be voting for the first time in 2027. They expect openness and accountability, and it is our responsibility to demonstrate that INEC can be trusted,” he said.
On legal compliance, he underscored strict adherence to electoral laws, insisting that the rule of law would be non-negotiable under his leadership.
“The rule of law is not optional; it is our operating system,” Amupitan said.
He disclosed that the retreat would focus on 17 critical thematic areas, including logistics, voter registration, ad-hoc staffing, election security, transportation and political party management.
“We must ensure that Continuous Voter Registration and revalidation exercises are beyond reproach, strengthen election security, and enforce internal democracy and transparency within political parties,” he added.
Amupitan said the 2027 polls must mark a turning point in Nigeria’s electoral history.
“The 2027 General Election must be a watershed moment. Under our watch, INEC should emerge as Africa’s leading Election Management Body — defined by integrity, technological efficiency and strong democratic values,” he declared.
He warned that any violation of INEC’s standards would attract sanctions, noting that there would be no tolerance for misconduct by commission officials.
Welcoming participants, Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Ayobami Salami, described the retreat as a key milestone in strengthening the commission’s leadership and operational readiness.
Salami said public expectations of the electoral process were higher than ever, urging INEC officials to embrace early planning, strategic coordination and institutional unity as preparations for 2027 gather momentum.
