The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering elections that are free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive as it intensifies institutional preparations ahead of the 2027 general election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, said the Commission was deliberately strengthening its leadership capacity, operational systems and institutional coherence in response to growing public expectations of the electoral process.
He emphasised that early planning, strategic coordination and strict adherence to the rule of law would be critical to the credibility of the 2027 general election.
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.
The INEC boss noted that although the 2027 general election remains the Commission’s ultimate focus, there are key electoral milestones to be addressed first, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections scheduled for February 2026, as well as the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.
According to him, these elections will serve as testing grounds for improving voter register management, election logistics and the deployment of election technology such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
Amupitan outlined five non-negotiable pillars guiding INEC’s mandate: elections free from interference, fairness to all political parties and candidates, credibility in the eyes of Nigerians and the international community, transparency at all stages of the process, and inclusivity to ensure no eligible voter is disenfranchised.
He also drew attention to the growing number of young, first-time voters ahead of 2027, describing them as digitally savvy citizens who demand transparency in real time and have little tolerance for opacity.
According to him, earning the trust of this demographic requires inclusive, technologically sound and credible systems, noting that success in 2027 would strengthen long-term confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.
On the legal framework, the INEC chairman assured that the Commission would continue to operate strictly within the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and any subsequent amendments.
He stressed that respect for the rule of law remains fundamental under his leadership, warning that any compromise of established values or procedures would attract consequences.
Amupitan explained that the retreat would deliberate on 17 critical thematic areas aimed at strengthening election management, including logistics and personnel deployment, Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), election security and inter-agency collaboration, political party regulation, internal party democracy, campaign finance transparency, election result management, and training of election personnel.
He added that the engagement would induct new Commission members and RECs into INEC’s institutional framework, administrative structure, communication processes and ethical standards, as well as familiarise them with electoral laws, amendments and tribunal procedures.
The chairman said the retreat would also allow experienced state-level officials to share lessons from off-cycle elections and bye-elections, with insights expected to improve voter register integrity, logistics, personnel training and the Election Result Management System ahead of 2027.
Reaffirming his commitment to staff welfare, Amupitan assured that while excellence would be demanded, the Commission would continue to provide the tools and enabling environment required for optimal performance.
He urged INEC’s leadership to promote open communication, break down institutional silos 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 continuous institutional development.
Salami said the engagement provides an opportunity for reflection, strategic alignment and institutional consolidation at a time of heightened public expectations.
He stressed that early planning, coordination and institutional cohesion are indispensable as the Commission prepares for the 2027 general election.
Also speaking, the Director of Planning and Monitoring, Mrs Helen Ajayi, said the retreat was designed to induct new members into INEC’s institutional and legal framework while providing a platform for experience sharing among state-level implementers of electoral policies.
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