The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has called on the National Peace Committee (NPC) and other key stakeholders to strengthen collaboration aimed at restoring public trust and ensuring peaceful, credible elections in 2027.
Prof. Amupitan made the appeal on Monday, March 2, 2026, during a Stakeholder Briefing and Presentation of the Annotated Peace Accord organised by the NPC in Abuja. The event brought together political party leaders, security chiefs and civil society representatives, highlighting a shared commitment to transparent and inclusive electoral processes.
The NPC Chairman and former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, was represented by the Committee’s Convener, Mathew Hassan Kukah.
Addressing participants, the INEC Chairman acknowledged growing public concerns over the credibility of elections, describing the trust deficit as a serious issue that requires collective action.
He stressed that voter participation is central to democratic legitimacy, noting that declining turnout in recent elections poses a challenge to the country’s democratic consolidation.
“For us, we appeal to the National Peace Committee to help us in the area of building trust. The trust deficit is such that anywhere you go, it is palpable. If voters will not participate, then whoever emerges, it is also in our own interest that everybody continues to participate. We’ll get it right one day,” he stated.
Prof. Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to transparency, saying the Commission remains open to constructive criticism and continuous improvement.
“Let the process be so transparent that whoever emerges will not only have legality but legitimacy,” he said, adding that INEC carefully reviews feedback from stakeholders to strengthen its processes.
He disclosed that the Commission is enhancing results management systems and introducing additional safeguards to ensure accuracy and consistency in handling election results. According to him, some of these measures have already been tested in recent electoral exercises.
On misinformation, the INEC Chairman warned that false narratives during elections undermine public confidence and can fuel tension. He said the Commission is working closely with security agencies and other institutions to combat disinformation and promote factual reporting.
Prof. Amupitan also reiterated that electoral offences such as vote trading remain criminal acts under Nigerian law, urging law enforcement agencies to expedite investigations and ensure prosecution where necessary.
He further noted that INEC is prioritising continuous clean-up of the voter register to address issues of duplication and outdated records, describing a credible voter register as the foundation of credible elections.
Looking ahead, he described the upcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States as critical steps toward preparations for 2027. He revealed that the Commission is considering further technological testing, including mock exercises in selected polling units, to boost operational readiness.
The INEC Chairman also emphasised the importance of timely release of election funds in line with legal provisions, noting that early funding is essential for planning, procurement and logistics.
In a goodwill message delivered on his behalf, General Abdulsalami reaffirmed the NPC’s commitment to promoting dialogue, mediation and confidence-building among political actors. He noted that since 2015, the Peace Accord initiative has played a stabilising role in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The stakeholder engagement forms part of INEC’s broader consultations aimed at strengthening cooperation, encouraging peaceful participation and building public confidence as preparations gradually gather momentum for the 2027 General Election.
Zenith Media News