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 technologically driven,” stressing that the Commission will tolerate no misconduct.
Amupitan gave the assurance in Lagos during the 2026 Induction and Strategic Retreat of INEC held from January 9 to 10, where he said the Commission must respond to the changing expectations of Nigerians.
“We gather here today not merely as electoral administrators and leaders, but as the custodians of the will of the Nigerian people,” he said, adding that the retreat was meant to bridge institutional experience with the demands of a rapidly evolving electoral environment.
The INEC chairman commended staff for their handling of the November 2025 Anambra governorship election, describing it as “a defining moment early in my tenure.”
He outlined five non-negotiable pillars guiding the Commission: “free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive elections.”
“We are here to organise elections that are free from any form of interference; fair to all contestants and political parties; credible in the eyes of the global community; transparent in every process; and inclusive of every Nigerian, regardless of physical ability or location,” Amupitan said.
Looking ahead to 2027, he identified key milestones, including the February 2026 FCT Area Council elections and off-cycle governorship polls in Ekiti and Osun states, describing them as critical tests of INEC’s preparedness.
“These elections are not just routine exercises; they are the testing grounds for our resolve and our readiness,” he said.
Amupitan also underscored the importance of earning the trust of young, first-time voters, noting that “digital natives demand transparency in real time and have little patience for opacity.”
On discipline and compliance, he warned, “Under my leadership, the rule of law is not a suggestion; it is our operating system,” adding that “any compromise on our values or processes will have consequences.”
He said the retreat would deliberate on 17 thematic areas, including logistics, voter registration, election security, ad-hoc staffing and political party management, stressing that the 2027 polls must be “a watershed moment in Nigeria’s election history.”
Welcoming participants, the Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Ayobami Salami, said the retreat marked a significant step in strengthening leadership capacity and operational readiness as public expectations ahead of the 2027 elections continue to rise.
