The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering free, fair, and credible elections in 2027, with the ambition of setting a standard for electoral integrity across Africa.
The Chairman of the commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, stated this on Friday in Lagos while delivering his opening remarks at INEC’s 2026 Induction and Strategic Retreat for its leadership and senior officials.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the retreat brought together national commissioners, resident electoral commissioners, administrative secretaries, directors, and top management staff from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Amupitan said the commission has a rare opportunity to redefine Nigeria’s electoral history and establish a new benchmark for election administration on the continent.
He noted that the expectations of over 200 million Nigerians and the wider African community are firmly placed on INEC, stressing that the task ahead would be demanding and subject to intense public scrutiny.
“The 2027 General Election must be free and fair and represent a turning point in Nigeria’s electoral history,” he said, adding that the commission should aim even higher by building an institution recognised globally for integrity, technological efficiency, and democratic values.
The INEC chairman emphasised that the 2027 polls must be technology-driven, transparent, and beyond reproach, capable of serving as a continental reference point for credible elections.
He explained that the commission’s mandate rests on five core pillars: elections free from interference, fairness to all political actors, credibility in the eyes of the international community, transparency throughout the electoral process, and inclusivity for all Nigerians regardless of location or physical ability.
Amupitan further highlighted that the 2027 elections would be shaped by a growing population of first-time voters young, digitally savvy Nigerians who demand real-time transparency and accountability.
He said it was INEC’s responsibility to earn the trust of this demographic by ensuring its systems are reliable, inclusive, and technologically sound, noting that doing so would secure long-term confidence in the democratic process.
Reaffirming his background as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Amupitan pledged strict adherence to the legal framework governing elections, stressing that the rule of law would remain the commission’s guiding principle under his leadership.
He also assured staff of his commitment to their welfare, promising the necessary tools and enabling environment for success, while warning that any compromise of INEC’s values or processes would attract sanctions.
Ahead of the 2027 General Election, Amupitan noted that the commission would oversee several key polls, including the Federal Capital Territory Area Council Elections in February 2026 and the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, describing them as critical tests of INEC’s readiness.
He added that the retreat would focus on 17 thematic areas such as logistics, voter registration, election security, political party regulation, and inter-agency collaboration, all aimed at strengthening the commission’s operational effectiveness.
In his welcome address, the Lagos Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Ayobami Salami, described the orientation and onboarding retreat as timely and essential, particularly for newly appointed officials.
Salami said the retreat marked an important phase in the commission’s institutional development, providing an opportunity for strategic alignment, leadership enhancement, and reaffirmation of INEC’s constitutional mandate.
He noted that public expectations of the electoral process are at an all-time high, stressing the need for early planning, effective coordination, and institutional unity as preparations for the 2027 elections continue.
According to him, beyond technical capacity building, the retreat also offers a platform for peer interaction, idea sharing, and institutional bonding, helping to strengthen INEC as a cohesive and forward-looking electoral body.