The Chairman of Nigeria's Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, has made a bold commitment to deliver a historic and transformative general election in 2027. He declared that the upcoming polls must represent a definitive break from the flaws of the past and set a new continental standard.
A Pledge for a Watershed Moment
Prof. Amupitan made this solemn vow on Friday in Lagos while addressing the opening of the 2026 Induction and Strategic Retreat for newly appointed National and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs). He described INEC officials as the custodians of the Nigerian people's will and stated that early preparations have already begun to ensure the next election is free from interference, credible, transparent, and inclusive.
"The eyes of over 200 million Nigerians and indeed the entire continent are upon us," Amupitan told the gathering. "I charge you today to brace yourselves. The work ahead is demanding, the hours will be long, and the scrutiny will be intense."
He outlined a clear and ambitious goal: "The 2027 General Election must be free and fair and be a watershed moment in Nigeria’s election history." The INEC boss, who assumed office in October 2025, emphasized that the commission must aim even higher to build a globally recognized institution.
Building a Model Electoral Management Body
Amupitan's vision extends beyond a single successful election. He aspires for INEC to become the best Election Management Body in Africa, known as a beacon of integrity, a model of technological efficiency, and a fortress of democratic values.
"Our success in 2027 must be more than a national victory," he asserted. "It must be a continental standard, a proof-of-concept that demonstrates that INEC can indeed conduct a world-class, technologically-driven, and transparent election that is beyond reproach."
He identified internal discipline, institutional cohesion, and early planning as critical to restoring public confidence. The chairman issued a stern warning that any compromise of INEC’s values or procedures would attract serious consequences.
The Road to 2027: Tests and Pillars
While 2027 is the ultimate target, Amupitan noted that INEC's resolve will first be tested by a series of upcoming elections. These include the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections in February 2026, followed by off-cycle governorship polls in Ekiti and Osun states. These exercises will serve as practical tests for the commission's logistics, voter register management, and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
The INEC Chairman outlined five non-negotiable pillars for the commission's mandate:
- Elections free from any form of interference.
- Processes fair to all contestants and parties.
- Credibility in the eyes of the global community.
- Transparency in every process, from polling units to result collation.
- Inclusion of every Nigerian, regardless of physical ability or location.
He highlighted that millions of first-time voters, largely young and technologically savvy Nigerians, would define the 2027 election cycle. "These are digital natives who demand transparency in real-time and have little patience for opacity," Amupitan said, stressing the duty to earn the trust of this sceptical demographic.
Amupitan also pledged strict adherence to the legal framework, stating, "Let it be known that under my leadership, the rule of law is not a suggestion; it is our operating system." He committed to stricter oversight of political parties concerning internal democracy and campaign financing and called for deeper collaboration with security agencies to protect voters and personnel.
The ongoing two-day retreat is deliberating on 17 critical areas, including logistics, election security, and continuous voter registration. Earlier, Lagos State REC, Prof. Ayobami Salami, noted that rising public expectations make early planning and leadership cohesion imperative for the journey to 2027.
