#NigeriaDecides2027: INEC Chairman Mobilises Traditional Rulers, Charges Staff to Maintain Strict Neutrality
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced its South-East zonal readiness assessment ahead of the 2027 General Election, with Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, reaffirming the commission’s commitment to credible polls and calling for stronger collaboration with traditional rulers to ensure peaceful elections.
Prof. Amupitan made this known during an interactive meeting with INEC staff and a readiness assessment visit to Enugu State, where he outlined the commission’s preparations, including the procurement of election materials and vehicles, facility upgrades, staff training and measures to strengthen election logistics.
The visit marks the South-East leg of INEC’s nationwide physical assessment tour, following similar exercises in the South-West, North-Central and North-West zones.
Addressing staff, the INEC chairman said the 2027 election was more than another date on the electoral calendar, describing it as a critical test of the commission’s preparedness.
He disclosed that some sensitive election materials had started arriving, while contracts had been awarded for the upgrade of facilities. He added that the commission had procured vehicles and was making further logistics arrangements ahead of the polls.
He also said training programmes would soon commence to prepare personnel for their responsibilities, particularly in view of changes introduced by the new Electoral Act and the commission’s guidelines and regulations for the 2027 elections.
He said INEC was developing training materials that staff could access beyond face-to-face sessions, while selected personnel would serve as trainers for other election workers.
The chairman charged staff to maintain strict neutrality before, during and after the elections, warning that INEC personnel must not be seen to support any political party.
He stressed that professionalism, accountability and effective result management were essential to rebuilding public confidence in the electoral process.
He also warned that the commission would not tolerate misconduct capable of undermining the integrity of the polls.
“We expect absolute neutrality,” Amupitan told the staff, emphasising that electoral officers must remain non-partisan in both their words and actions.
As part of the visit, the INEC Chairman led national commissioners and senior management officials to meet the Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty, Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu, to seek the support of traditional institutions ahead of the elections.
The INEC chairman said traditional rulers remained important partners in promoting grassroots peace, civic participation and community stability.
He appealed to the royal fathers to mobilise residents to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), sensitise communities against voter apathy and vote-selling, and encourage political parties, candidates and youth groups to avoid inflammatory rhetoric and electoral violence.
Amupitan also reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to neutrality, transparency and procedural fairness, assuring voters that every valid vote cast in Enugu State and across the South-East would be accurately reflected in the final results.
He further disclosed that INEC’s collaboration with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security was producing positive results, including the recent arrest of suspects linked to the kidnapping of corps members serving as ad hoc election personnel. He said the Department of State Services was expected to arraign those implicated within the week.
Responding, Asadu welcomed the INEC delegation and pledged the support and prayers of traditional rulers for the commission’s leadership and the successful conduct of the 2027 elections.
He described election management as a demanding national responsibility and urged INEC officials to remain focused, while encouraging Nigerians to embrace change and contribute to strengthening democracy.
The traditional ruler also said he had been encouraging members of his community to collect their PVCs, underscoring the importance of voter participation in the forthcoming polls.
The INEC chairman’s visit also included an engagement at the commission’s Enugu South Local Government Area office as part of the broader assessment of operational readiness ahead of the general election.
