The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed to traditional rulers across the country to help mobilise eligible voters for the 2027 general elections and encourage peaceful political activities.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, made the appeal on Tuesday when he led the commission’s management team on a courtesy visit to the Oba of Lagos, Oba Riliwanu Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu, at the Iga Idunganran Palace in Lagos.
The visit was part of INEC’s South-West Zonal Readiness Assessment and Staff Interactive Session, which marks the start of the commission’s readiness assessment across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones ahead of the 2027 elections.
Amupitan said the South-West was chosen to begin the exercise because of the zone’s importance to Nigeria’s electoral process, with Lagos playing a particularly significant role.
He said the exercise was not only about checking INEC’s preparedness but also about getting traditional institutions involved in efforts to improve voter participation and maintain peace before, during and after the elections.
INEC Gives Dates for 2027 Elections
During the visit, Amupitan formally informed the Oba of Lagos of the dates already fixed for the 2027 general elections.
He said the Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
According to him, the commission is working towards an election that will be transparent, inclusive and technology-driven, with improvements being made to areas such as online voter registration and result management.
But Amupitan noted that technology alone would not be enough to deliver a successful election.
“Technology alone cannot build a democracy; people do,” he said.
He urged traditional rulers to use their positions in their communities to encourage eligible Nigerians to take part in the electoral process and turn out to vote in large numbers.
The INEC chairman also asked the traditional institution to encourage eligible residents to complete the required voter registration processes and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before the deadlines.
Call for Peaceful Campaigns
Amupitan also appealed to the Oba of Lagos and members of the Lagos Traditional Council to help promote issue-based campaigns as political activities gather momentum ahead of the elections.
He urged politicians to avoid character assassination, hate speech, inflammatory statements and other forms of political attacks.
Rather than focusing on personalities, he said political campaigns should give Nigerians the opportunity to understand the policies and programmes of the candidates and political parties.
The chairman stressed that maintaining peace in Lagos and across the country should be placed above individual political interests.
He said the readiness assessment was also intended to ensure that INEC officials remained professional, neutral and impartial in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Amupitan disclosed that the commission had already met with Resident Electoral Commissioners, Electoral Officers and Heads of Departments across the South-West, where they were reminded of the laws and regulations guiding the conduct of elections.
He said INEC was determined to deliver a credible 2027 election that would strengthen public confidence in the electoral process and promote national unity.
Responding, the Oba of Lagos welcomed INEC’s decision to begin the zonal readiness assessment in Lagos.
The monarch expressed optimism about the commission’s preparations and wished Amupitan and his team success as they work towards the 2027 elections.
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