2027: We have no candidates or parties to favour – INEC chairman

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has assured Nigerians that the commission will remain neutral in the conduct of the 2027 general elections.

Amupitan said INEC had no preferred candidate or political party, stressing that its responsibility was to uphold the will of Nigerian voters.

He spoke during a visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, in Zaria, Kaduna State, as part of the commission’s ongoing stakeholder engagement and preparations for the 2027 elections.

The visit was also linked to INEC’s zonal readiness assessment and planned interactive engagement with its staff as the commission intensifies preparations for the nationwide polls.

Amupitan described traditional institutions as important stakeholders in the electoral process, citing their influence and reach across communities.

He said elections were fundamentally about the relationship between citizens and those entrusted with public office, adding that public confidence was essential to the success of democracy.

According to the INEC chairman, the commission began preparations early because of the scale and complexity involved in conducting elections across Nigeria.

He said INEC had moved away from last-minute preparations and was already testing, auditing and strengthening its operational systems ahead of the 2027 polls.

Amupitan assured the Emir that the electoral body remained committed to neutrality, fairness and transparency.

“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 also urged traditional rulers to continue playing a role in promoting peaceful participation and responsible conduct ahead of the elections.

In a separate appeal during the visit, Amupitan said elections should not be treated as a do-or-die affair, urging political parties, candidates and their supporters to embrace peaceful and issue-based campaigns.

He also called on traditional institutions to discourage young people from being used for political violence and thuggery, while encouraging eligible citizens to participate actively in the electoral process.

Amupitan said INEC would continue engaging traditional rulers and other stakeholders as preparations for the 2027 general elections progress.