By Olanrewaju Adesanya
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, has stated resolve to scale up the commission’s credibility status in the reckoning of Nigerians and the global community.
Speaking at the 2026 Induction and Strategic Retreat organized by the Lagos INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Professor Ayobami Salami on Friday at the Raddisson Blu Hotel Ikeja, Prof. Amupitan spelt out the modus operandi of the commission going forward, while setting targets ahead of the 2027 general election.
“The 2027 General Election must be free and fair. I want us to build an institution that is recognized globally.
“Let it be said that under our watch, INEC became the best Election Management Body in Africa—a beacon of integrity, a model of technological efficiency, and a fortress of democratic values.”
According to the INEC Chairman (Prof. Amupitan) the peculiarities that will define the coming general election, especially the fact that millions of young Nigerian Citizens who will not tolerate opacity in any form will be approaching the ballot box for the very first time, makes it germane for the commission to prepare to restore confidence of the people in its capacity to deliver seamlessly.
“2027 will be defined by new demographic of Nigerians-millions of young citizens who will be approaching the ballot box for the very first time. These are digital natives who demand transparency in real-time and have little patience for opacity.
“It is our duty to prove these-savvy, and often skeptical, young voters that INEC can be trusted.
“While the 2027 General Electionis our ultimate destination, our journey passes through critical milestones.
“In just a few weeks from now, we will face the FCT Area Council Elections in February 2026. This will be followed by the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.
“These elections are the testing grounds for our resolve and our readiness.
“Our mandate, which we should pursue rigorously, is built on five non-negotiable pillars-organizing an election free of all forms of interference and fair to all; credible in the eyes of the global community, transparent in every process, from polling units to result collation; and inclusive of every Nigerian, regardless of physical ability or location.”
The INEC boss also emphasized his poise to firm up the 2022 Electoral Act to engender an unfettered reign of the rule of law. While promising to ensure that the welfare of INEC personnel is guaranteed in the discharge of their fundamental responsibilities.
He added that the functionality of all systemic frameworks like the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and revalidation exercises, inter-agency collaboration and political party management geared towards enforcement of internal democracy and transparency will be accorded the required consideration.
