The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to neutrality ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that the electoral body has no candidate, political party or vested interest other than protecting the will of Nigerian voters.
Amupitan made the statement during a visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, as part of INEC’s ongoing stakeholder engagement and preparations for the next electoral cycle.
According to a post shared on INEC’s official X account, the visit formed part of activities leading up to the commission’s interactive meeting with staff and a readiness assessment exercise at the zonal level.
The INEC chairman was accompanied by National Commissioners, the Acting Director-General of the Electoral Institute, senior aides and other top officials of the commission.
Speaking during the engagement, Amupitan described traditional institutions as critical stakeholders in the electoral process due to their influence within communities and their role in promoting civic participation and peaceful elections.
He stressed that elections are fundamentally about the relationship between citizens and those entrusted with public office, noting that public confidence remains central to the success of democratic governance.
Amupitan said the commission had commenced preparations early in recognition of the scale and complexity of conducting elections across the country. He noted that INEC had moved away from last-minute preparations and was instead focusing on testing, auditing and strengthening its systems well ahead of the 2027 polls.
“We have no candidates, we have no political party, we have no interest other than the sovereign will of the people of Nigeria,” he said.
The INEC chairman assured stakeholders that the commission would continue to uphold the principles of fairness, transparency and impartiality in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.
He also pledged sustained engagement with traditional rulers and other key stakeholders as the commission intensifies preparations for the next general election.
The visit is part of broader efforts by INEC to build public trust and ensure that all necessary structures are in place ahead of the 2027 electoral process.
