The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has assured Nigerians that the commission will remain neutral and impartial in the conduct of the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan said INEC has no preferred candidate or political party, stressing that its primary responsibility is to ensure that the will of Nigerian voters is respected.
The INEC chairman spoke during a visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, in Zaria, Kaduna State, as part of the commission’s stakeholder engagement and preparations for the 2027 elections.
He explained that traditional institutions remain important stakeholders because of their influence and reach within communities.
According to Amupitan, elections are fundamentally about the relationship between citizens and those seeking public office, making public confidence crucial to the success of the democratic process.
He said INEC commenced preparations early because of the size and complexity of conducting elections across the country, adding that the commission was already testing, auditing and improving its operational systems.
“We have no candidates, we have no political party, we have no interest other than the sovereign will of the people of Nigeria,” Amupitan said.
He also appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to avoid treating elections as a do-or-die affair and instead focus on peaceful and issue-based campaigns.
Amupitan urged traditional rulers to help discourage the use of young people for political violence and thuggery while encouraging eligible Nigerians to participate responsibly in the electoral process.
He assured stakeholders that INEC would continue engaging traditional rulers and other relevant groups as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue.
