INEC speaks on preferred 2027 presidential candidate
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has assured Nigerians and political parties that it will remain neutral and fair to all contenders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Professor Josiah Amupitan, gave the assurance during the National Peace Accord organised ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Amupitan said the electoral body would not support any candidate or political party and would allow voters to decide who emerges through a credible electoral process.
He explained that INEC’s responsibility was to conduct elections without taking sides or working in favour of any political platform.
The INEC chairman also called on political parties and their candidates to make the 2027 campaign peaceful and centred on issues that affect Nigerians.
He urged politicians to avoid violence, personal attacks and other actions that could create tension during the election period.
According to him, candidates should use the campaign period to explain their plans to Nigerians and provide practical ideas for addressing the country’s challenges.
He said voters were more interested in programmes that could improve their lives than political insults and attacks against opponents.
Amupitan further disclosed that preparations for the 2027 elections were already progressing.
He said the commission was working to strengthen its operational arrangements and prepare the personnel and resources needed to conduct the nationwide exercise.
He explained that INEC would need about 1.4 million temporary election workers to support the exercise across more than 176,000 polling units in the country.
The commission is expected to continue its preparations as political parties and their candidates begin to position themselves for the 2027 elections.
Amupitan said the electoral body would work towards delivering an election that Nigerians could trust while maintaining its independence throughout the process.
He also urged political actors, candidates and their supporters to play their roles responsibly and allow the election to focus on policies, programmes and the choice of Nigerian voters rather than violence and hostility.
