INEC chief reaffirms neutrality ahead of 2027 elections

Independent National Electoral Commission chairman Joash Amupitan has reaffirmed the commission’s neutrality ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election, saying INEC has no candidate or political party to favour. Amupitan made the declaration during a visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli. The visit was part of stakeholder engagement activities linked to the commission’s preparations for the elections and its planned interactive meeting with staff.

The chairman said traditional institutions were important stakeholders because of their influence and reach within communities. He also linked the credibility of elections to public trust and described voting as part of the social contract between citizens and those entrusted with public office. According to Amupitan, INEC began preparations early because of the size and complexity of conducting elections across Nigeria.

He said the commission had moved away from last-minute planning and was testing, auditing and strengthening its operational systems well before the polls. “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, according to a post obtained from INEC’s X account. He assured the Emir that the commission remained committed to neutrality, fairness and transparency.

Amupitan added that INEC would continue engaging traditional institutions and other stakeholders as preparations intensified. The chairman was accompanied on the visit by national commissioners, the Acting Director-General of the Electoral Institute and other senior officials. The engagement also formed part of a zonal-level readiness assessment and interaction with commission staff.