Precious Nwonu, Enugu

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has called on commission staff and traditional rulers to support efforts towards conducting free, fair and credible general elections in 2027.

Amupitan stressed that credible elections required adequate preparation, professional conduct, investment in technology and effective administrative processes long before election day.

He made the call during an interactive meeting with INEC staff in the North-Central zone in Lokoja, Kogi State, as part of the commission’s nationwide assessment of its preparedness for the 2027 general elections.

The INEC chairman explained that the engagement was necessary to evaluate the commission’s operational capacity and strengthen the readiness of personnel responsible for conducting elections across the country.

He noted that the commission had recently conducted elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states, as well as Federal Capital Territory council elections, without major challenges.

According to him, electoral integrity must be built through consistent preparation and professional commitment rather than last-minute efforts.

Amupitan said the Lokoja meeting marked the conclusion of the commission’s zonal readiness assessment, following similar engagements across the South-West, North-West, South-East, North-East and South-South regions.

He added that the commission was particularly concerned about strengthening electoral operations across the 121 local government areas and six Area Councils within the North-Central zone and the Federal Capital Territory.

The INEC chairman urged staff to recognise their responsibility in preserving democratic institutions and ensuring that future generations inherit a stronger electoral system.

He also quoted American statesman Alexander Hamilton to emphasise that democratic integrity depended on consistent implementation rather than temporary enthusiasm.

Earlier, Amupitan met with traditional rulers from the 21 local government areas of Kogi State, seeking their cooperation in promoting peaceful political activities before, during and after the 2027 elections.

He explained that the meeting was organised to sensitise the monarchs on their responsibilities in supporting the electoral process and encouraging peaceful participation among their subjects.

The INEC chairman appealed to traditional rulers to use their positions and influence to discourage inflammatory political campaigns, character assassination and aggressive conduct among political actors.

He also urged them to prevent politicians from recruiting young people and other residents as agents of electoral violence or destruction.

Amupitan maintained that the cooperation of traditional institutions and other stakeholders would be important to the commission’s efforts to deliver credible elections in 2027.