Abdulsalami To Amupitan: Conduct Free, Fair, Credible And Inclusive 2027 Polls

…Urges Nigerians to support INEC as electoral body fixes January 16, February 6 election dates

By Our Reporter

Former Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee (NPC), General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), has charged the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, to deliver free, fair, credible and inclusive elections in 2027, insisting that Nigeria’s democracy depends on the integrity of the electoral process.

Abdulsalami gave the charge on Friday while receiving the INEC Chairman and a high-powered delegation of National Commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, Directors and Technical Aides at his residence in Minna, Niger State.

The elder statesman, who has played a leading role in promoting peaceful elections through the National Peace Committee, described the office of the INEC Chairman as one of the most demanding in the country, noting that every electoral decision inevitably attracts criticism from political actors.

Despite the enormous pressure associated with the office, he urged Prof. Amupitan to remain courageous, impartial and focused on his constitutional mandate of conducting elections that reflect the true will of Nigerians.

Abdulsalami stressed that the 2027 general election must be transparent, inclusive and credible enough to strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions and deepen the country’s democratic culture.

He also appealed to Nigerians, political parties and other stakeholders to cooperate with the electoral commission, saying the success of the nation’s democracy cannot rest on INEC alone but requires the collective support of citizens and political leaders.

The former military ruler expressed confidence in Amupitan’s leadership, assuring him of his continued prayers and support as preparations gather momentum for the 2027 general election.

Earlier, Prof. Amupitan paid glowing tribute to Abdulsalami, describing him as the “father of democracy” whose successful transition to civilian rule in 1999 laid the foundation for Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

He also praised the former Head of State’s leadership of the National Peace Committee, saying its Peace Accord initiative has continued to encourage political actors to embrace non-violence and issue-based campaigns, thereby promoting peaceful elections and democratic stability.

The INEC Chairman assured Abdulsalami that, despite the pressures confronting the Commission, it remained committed to conducting elections that truly reflected the will of the people.
According to him, the Commission’s overriding objective is to ensure that every Nigerian goes to the polls with the confidence that his or her vote will count and be accurately reflected in the final result.

Amupitan also formally reaffirmed the timetable for the 2027 general election, announcing that the Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on January 16, 2027, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.

Earlier in the day, the INEC Chairman met with staff of the Commission’s Niger State office, where he urged electoral officials to uphold professionalism, integrity and impartiality in the discharge of their responsibilities, describing them as the Commission’s frontline ambassadors.

He further disclosed that INEC had commenced a review of staff welfare packages as part of efforts to improve the working conditions of personnel and enhance the Commission’s overall performance ahead of the 2027 polls.