The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has appealed to the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, to use his platform to promote peaceful and issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections. This appeal was made during a courtesy visit to the Emir's palace in Zaria, Kaduna State, as part of INEC's nationwide Zonal Readiness Assessment and Interactive Staff Engagement for the 2027 general elections.
Prof. Amupitan emphasized that elections should not be treated as do-or-die affairs, but rather as a peaceful celebration of civic choice. He urged the Emir to counsel the youth against being used as tools for political violence and thuggery. The INEC chairman also encouraged the people of Zazzau Emirate to actively participate in all stages of the electoral process, from collecting Permanent Voters' Cards (PVCs) to voting peacefully on election days.
The INEC chairman's visit is part of the Commission's tradition of engaging with traditional rulers. Similar consultations have been held with the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti during the Ekiti governorship election and over 50 Osun monarchs ahead of the Osun governorship election. Prof. Amupitan noted that conducting a national election in Nigeria requires early planning, operational discipline, and deep stakeholder engagement.
The Commission has fixed the statutory dates for the 2027 general elections, with the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2027, and the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2027. All administrative, technological, and logistical frameworks are being fortified across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Prof. Amupitan assured the Emirate that INEC remains committed to absolute neutrality, fairness, and transparency. The Commission has no candidate, no political party, and no interest other than the sovereign will of the Nigerian people. The Emir of Zazzau commended the INEC chairman for providing timely information on preparations for the 2027 general elections and described the engagement as remarkable and important.
The Emir identified fairness, justice, a level playing field, security, timely dissemination of information, and prompt release of results as critical elements for a successful electoral process. He urged INEC to address concerns arising from previous elections, particularly the late distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive materials and technical challenges associated with election technology.
The INEC chairman and his entourage are in Kaduna for a nationwide readiness assessment and are expected to meet with staff from the North-West states. The Emir appealed to political parties and their supporters to conduct themselves responsibly during the campaign period and minimize hate speech and other actions capable of threatening peace and national cohesion.
Key points
- - INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan appeals to Emir of Zazzau to promote peaceful elections - 2027 general elections scheduled for January 16 and February 6 - INEC commits to neutrality, fairness, and transparency in 2027 elections
