The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reiterated its commitment to conducting elections that are free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive, as it deepens institutional preparations ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, said INEC is deliberately strengthening its leadership capacity, operational systems and institutional coherence in response to growing public expectations of the electoral process. He stressed that early planning, strategic coordination and strict adherence to the rule of law will be critical to the credibility of the 2027 polls.
Prof. Amupitan made the remarks on Friday, January 9, 2026, at the opening of a two-day Induction and Strategic Retreat organised for newly appointed Chairman, National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Lagos.
He noted that although the 2027 General Election remains the Commission’s ultimate objective, INEC must first successfully conduct key electoral activities, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections in February 2026 and the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States. According to him, these exercises will serve as testing grounds for improving voter register management, election logistics and the deployment of technology such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
The INEC Chairman outlined five non-negotiable pillars guiding the Commission’s mandate: elections free from interference, fairness to all political parties and candidates, credibility nationally and internationally, transparency at all stages of the process, and inclusivity to ensure no eligible Nigerian is disenfranchised.
He drew attention to the increasing population of young, first-time voters ahead of 2027, describing them as digitally savvy citizens who demand real-time transparency and accountability. Prof. Amupitan said earning the trust of this demographic requires election systems that are inclusive, technologically robust and beyond reproach, noting that credibility achieved in 2027 would strengthen long-term confidence in Nigeria’s democracy.
Emphasising the legal framework for elections, he assured that INEC would continue to operate strictly within the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and any subsequent amendments. He warned that any deviation from established laws, procedures and values would attract consequences, stressing that respect for the rule of law remains central to the Commission’s operations.
According to him, the retreat is structured around 17 critical thematic areas aimed at strengthening election management. These include election logistics and personnel deployment, Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and revalidation, election security and inter-agency collaboration, political party regulation, internal party democracy, campaign finance transparency, result management and the training of election personnel.
Prof. Amupitan explained that the retreat also serves as an induction for new Commission members and RECs, exposing them to INEC’s institutional framework, administrative structure, communication channels and ethical standards. Participants are being briefed on the legal framework for elections, tribunal procedures and timelines, as well as lessons from off-cycle elections and bye-elections.
He added that insights shared by experienced state-level officials would help refine strategies for improving the integrity of the voter register, election logistics, personnel training and the Election Result Management System ahead of 2027.
Reaffirming his commitment to staff welfare, the INEC Chairman assured that while high performance would be demanded, the Commission would continue to provide the tools and enabling environment necessary for success. He urged the leadership to break institutional silos, encourage open communication and work collectively to restore and sustain public trust in the electoral process.
Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Lagos State, Prof. Ayobami Salami, welcomed participants, describing the retreat as a significant milestone in INEC’s institutional development. He said the engagement provides a platform for reflection, strategic alignment and consolidation at a time of heightened public expectations.
Prof. Salami emphasised that early planning, coordination and institutional cohesion are indispensable as the Commission moves towards the 2027 General Election. He congratulated the newly appointed Chairman, National Commissioners and RECs, urging participants to contribute actively to discussions aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral system.
Also speaking, the Director of Planning and Monitoring, Mrs. Helen Ajayi, said the retreat is designed to induct new Commission members into INEC’s institutional framework, familiarise them with the legal and administrative architecture of elections, and provide a platform for experience sharing among state-level implementers of electoral policies.
