INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, during a courtesy visit to the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Oba Riliwanu Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu, at the Iga Idunganran Palace
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on traditional rulers across the country to deploy their moral authority to mobilise eligible voters for the 2027 General Election and promote peaceful, issue-based political campaigns.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, made the appeal on Tuesday in Lagos when he led the Commission’s leadership on a courtesy visit to the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Oba Riliwanu Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu, at the Iga Idunganran Palace.
The visit formed part of the Commission’s South-West Zonal Readiness Assessment and Staff Interactive Session, which marks the commencement of its nationwide engagement across the six geopolitical zones ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Prof. Amupitan said INEC had chosen the South-West, with Lagos as its starting point, because of the strategic importance of the zone and Lagos in Nigeria’s electoral and democratic landscape.
He said the Commission was in Lagos not only to assess its operational readiness for the 2027 elections but also to seek the support of traditional institutions, whose influence, he noted, could help strengthen public participation and preserve peace during the electoral process.
The INEC Chairman formally informed the Oba of the dates for the 2027 General Election, with the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on Saturday, February 6, 2027.
According to him, INEC is working towards an election that is technologically driven, transparent and inclusive, with continued improvements to its electoral systems, including online voter registration and result management.
However, Prof. Amupitan stressed that technology alone could not guarantee a successful election, urging traditional rulers to help mobilise eligible Nigerians to participate actively in the electoral process and turn out in large numbers to vote.
“Technology alone cannot build a democracy; people do,” the Chairman said, emphasising the importance of public ownership and participation in the electoral process.
He also appealed to traditional rulers to use their influence to encourage eligible residents to complete the necessary voter processes and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) as statutory deadlines approach.
Prof. Amupitan further sought the intervention of the Oba of Lagos and the Lagos Traditional Council in promoting issue-based political campaigns and discouraging character assassination, hate speech, inflammatory rhetoric and campaigns of calumny as political activities intensify ahead of the elections.
He said political actors should focus on policies and issues rather than personalities, stressing that preserving the peace of Lagos and the nation must take precedence over political ambitions.
The Chairman said INEC’s nationwide readiness assessment was also aimed at ensuring that its personnel remained professional, neutral and impartial in the discharge of their responsibilities.
He disclosed that the Commission had already engaged Resident Electoral Commissioners, Electoral Officers and Heads of Departments across the South-West, reminding them of the laws and regulations governing elections and the need to maintain professionalism, neutrality and impartiality.
Prof. Amupitan said INEC was determined to deliver a 2027 election that would strengthen public confidence in the electoral process and contribute to national unity.
Responding, the Oba of Lagos welcomed the decision by INEC to commence its zonal readiness assessment in Lagos and expressed optimism about the success of the Commission under Amupitan’s leadership.
