The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on traditional rulers across the country to use their moral authority and influence to mobilise eligible Nigerians for the 2027 General Election and promote peaceful, issue-based political campaigns.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, made the appeal on Tuesday in Lagos when he led the Commission’s leadership on a courtesy visit to the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Oba Riliwanu Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu, at the Iga Idunganran Palace.
The visit formed part of INEC’s South-West Zonal Readiness Assessment and Staff Interactive Session, marking the commencement of the Commission’s nationwide engagement across the six geopolitical zones ahead of the 2027 elections.
Amupitan said the Commission selected the South-West, with Lagos as its starting point, because of the strategic importance of the zone and the state to Nigeria’s electoral and democratic development.
He said the engagement was not only aimed at assessing INEC’s operational readiness but also at securing the support of traditional institutions, whose influence could help increase voter participation and preserve peace throughout the electoral process.
The INEC Chairman formally informed the monarch that the Presidential and National Assembly elections would hold on Saturday, January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2027.
Amupitan said the Commission was working towards delivering a technologically driven, transparent and inclusive election, with continued improvements to its electoral systems, including online voter registration and result management.
He, however, emphasised that technology alone could not guarantee a successful democratic process, urging traditional rulers to mobilise eligible Nigerians to participate actively in the election.
“Technology alone cannot build a democracy; people do,” the INEC Chairman said, underscoring the importance of citizens’ ownership and participation in the electoral process.
He also urged traditional rulers to encourage eligible residents to complete the necessary voter registration processes and collect their Permanent Voter Cards before the relevant deadlines.
Amupitan further appealed to the Oba of Lagos and the Lagos Traditional Council to use their influence to promote issue-based campaigns and discourage character assassination, hate speech, inflammatory rhetoric and campaigns of calumny as political activities intensify.
He urged political actors to focus on policies and issues rather than personalities, stressing that preserving the peace of Lagos and the country should take precedence over individual political ambitions.
The INEC Chairman said the nationwide readiness assessment was also designed to ensure that the Commission’s personnel remained professional, neutral and impartial in the discharge of their responsibilities.
He disclosed that INEC had already engaged Resident Electoral Commissioners, Electoral Officers and Heads of Departments across the South-West, reminding them of the laws and regulations governing elections and the need to uphold professionalism, neutrality and impartiality.
Amupitan expressed the Commission’s determination to deliver a 2027 election capable of strengthening public confidence in the electoral process and contributing to national unity.
Responding, the Oba of Lagos welcomed INEC’s decision to commence its zonal readiness assessment in Lagos and expressed optimism about the Commission’s performance under Amupitan’s leadership.
The monarch urged the INEC Chairman and National Commissioners to remain honest, steadfast and unwavering in the discharge of their responsibilities.
Akiolu also called on politicians to move away from short-term patronage and embrace genuine capacity building, while advocating issue-based campaigns devoid of hate speech and inflammatory rhetoric.
He urged traditional rulers to continue guiding their communities and encouraging citizens to exercise their democratic franchise.
The monarch further appealed to the Federal Government to ensure adequate and timely funding for elections, stressing that INEC should be provided with the resources required to effectively discharge its constitutional mandate.
The visit to the Oba of Lagos preceded INEC’s wider South-West readiness engagements as the Commission intensifies preparations for the 2027 General Election.
