RismadarVoice Reporters
September 27, 2026
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has reaffirmed the commission’s neutrality ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that INEC has no candidate or political party it intends to favour.
Amupitan gave the assurance on Sunday during a courtesy visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, at his palace in Zaria, Kaduna State.
The visit formed part of INEC’s nationwide Zonal Readiness Assessment and Interactive Staff Engagement as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
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 communities across the country.
He said elections represented an important element of the social contract between citizens and those entrusted with public office, stressing that public confidence was essential to the credibility of the democratic process.
Amupitan said the commission had begun preparations early because of the scale and complexity involved in conducting nationwide elections.
According to him, INEC was moving away from last-minute preparations and had begun testing, auditing and strengthening its operational systems ahead of the polls.
He assured the Emir that the electoral body would remain neutral and committed to fairness and transparency throughout the process.
“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 the traditional ruler to use his influence to encourage political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully during the election period.
Amupitan said elections should not be regarded as a do-or-die affair but as an opportunity for citizens to exercise their civic rights and determine their preferred representatives through the ballot.
The commission has previously said the presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on February 20, 2027, while governorship and state House of Assembly elections are scheduled for March 6, 2027.
Amupitan said INEC would continue engaging traditional institutions, political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, the media and other stakeholders as preparations for the elections progress.
He reiterated that the commission’s responsibility was to conduct elections that reflect the sovereign will of Nigerian voters.
