The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has called on the National Peace Committee (NPC) and other stakeholders to intensify efforts to rebuild public confidence ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Amupitan made the appeal on Monday during a stakeholder briefing and presentation of the Annotated Peace Accord organised by the NPC in Abuja. The event brought together political party leaders, heads of security agencies and civil society organisations in a renewed push for peaceful, credible and legitimate elections.
Former Head of State and Chairman of the NPC, Abdulsalami Abubakar, was represented by the committee’s convener, Matthew Hassan Kukah.
Trust Deficit and Voter Apathy
In his address, Amupitan described the erosion of public trust in the electoral system as one of INEC’s most pressing challenges, warning that voter apathy threatens democratic legitimacy.
“We appeal to the National Peace Committee to help us in the area of building trust. The trust deficit is palpable everywhere,” he said.
“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 noted that the presence of commissioners, directors and senior management staff at the event underscored INEC’s commitment to reform and democratic consolidation.
Transparency and Shared Responsibility
Describing Nigeria’s electoral environment as diverse, complex and highly competitive, the INEC chairman stressed that democracy must rest not only on legality but also legitimacy.
“Let the process be so transparent that whoever emerges will not only have legality but legitimacy,” he said, adding that the commission remains open to scrutiny and constructive criticism.
Amupitan emphasised that credible elections cannot be delivered by INEC alone. He urged political parties to strengthen internal discipline and improve voter mobilisation, warning that declining turnout weakens democratic credibility.
Measures to Enhance Credibility
The chairman outlined ongoing steps to improve transparency and results management, noting that additional safeguards have been introduced and tested in recent elections, though specific operational details were not disclosed.
He warned that misinformation during elections fuels tension and erodes public confidence, adding that INEC is working with security agencies and relevant institutions to counter disinformation.
On electoral offences, including vote trading, he reiterated that such acts remain criminal under Nigerian law and called for faster investigations and prosecutions by law enforcement agencies.
Amupitan also disclosed that INEC is intensifying efforts to sanitise the voter register, acknowledging public concerns over duplication and outdated records.
Road to 2027
Looking ahead, he described the upcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states as critical milestones toward 2027. He revealed that the commission is considering additional technology testing, including mock exercises in selected polling units, to strengthen operational readiness.
He also appealed for the timely release of election funds in line with amended legal provisions, stressing that early access to resources is essential for procurement, logistics and planning.
Peace Committee’s Commitment
In remarks delivered on his behalf, Abdulsalami Abubakar reaffirmed the NPC’s dedication to dialogue, mediation and confidence-building. He noted that since 2015, the Peace Accord has served as a stabilising instrument in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Describing the Annotated Peace Accord as an enhanced framework for preventive engagement, he said it provides clearer guidance for stakeholders.
“The responsibility of safeguarding our democracy rests with all of us,” he said, calling for restraint, collaboration and responsible conduct by political actors, institutions and citizens.
What you should know
INEC has urged the National Peace Committee and other stakeholders to help rebuild public trust ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that voter apathy threatens democratic legitimacy.
The commission outlined measures to strengthen transparency, combat misinformation and sanitise the voter register, while highlighting upcoming Ekiti and Osun governorship polls as key tests on the road to 2027.
