The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Ampitan (SAN), has pledged that the 2027 general elections will be held in a free, fair, transparent and technology-driven manner, and declared that the Commission will not tolerate any irregularities in the electoral process.
Speaking at the Commission’s 2026 Inauguration and Strategic Retreat held in Lagos from January 9-10, Ampitan said INEC is preparing for a rapidly evolving electoral landscape and must live up to the expectations of Nigerians.
“We gather here today, not just as election officials and leaders, but as guardians of the will of the Nigerian people.
“This retreat serves as a bridge between our institutional experience and the innovative demands of a rapidly evolving electoral landscape,” he said.
He thanked INEC officials for their performance in the November 2025 Anambra State governorship election, saying it was a defining moment in his early days in office.
Ampitan noted that the road to the 2027 general elections would involve passing through major electoral milestones such as the FCT Regional Council elections in February 2026 and off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.
“These elections are not just a routine exercise, they are a test of our resolve and preparedness. They provide an opportunity to refine our processes… to ensure that all technical and logistical equipment is fully oiled before the grand national exercise in 2027,” he said.
The INEC Chairperson outlined five non-negotiable pillars that guide the Commission’s work: free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive elections.
“We are here to organize elections that are free from any form of interference, fair to all contestants and political parties, credible in the eyes of the international community, transparent in all processes, and open to all Nigerians, regardless of their physical ability or place of residence,” he said.
He highlighted the role of young people who will vote for the first time in 2027, noting that they will demand openness and real-time transparency.
“Millions of young people will be heading to the ballot box for the first time. They are digital natives who demand real-time transparency and have little patience for opacity. It is our duty to prove to these tech-savvy and often skeptical young voters that INEC can be trusted,” he said.
On the legal framework, Mr. Ampitan emphasized strict adherence to the law, saying, “Please know that under my leadership, the rule of law is not a proposal, but our operating system.”
He said the camp will discuss 17 key thematic areas, including logistics, temporary staff, transportation, voter registration, election security and political party management.
“We must ensure that the ongoing voter registration and re-verification exercise is impeccable. We will discuss election security and how to strengthen internal party democracy and transparency of party finances,” he stressed.
Ampitan said INEC has a unique opportunity to set ambitious goals for 2027 and rewrite Nigeria’s electoral history.
“The 2027 general elections must be free and fair and should be a turning point in Nigeria’s electoral history. Let me say that under our watch, INEC has become the premier electoral management institution in Africa, a beacon of integrity, a paragon of technical efficiency and a bastion of democratic values,” he declared.
He warned that violations of INEC’s values could lead to sanctions.
“While we reaffirm our commitment to your well-being, we must also reiterate that there are consequences for compromising our values and processes. There is no tolerance for wrongdoing, whether by omission or commission.
“Let us use this training camp to break down silos, encourage open communication, volunteer constructive feedback, and stand as a united front,” the INEC chairman said.
The Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Ayobami Salami, while welcoming participants to the retreat, said the program marks an important milestone in the continued evolution of the commission.
He said the withdrawal was aimed at strengthening leadership and increasing operational readiness, noting that public expectations for the electoral process were “higher than ever” and urging officials to rise to the challenge.
He described the retreat as deepening organizational understanding and fostering peer engagement, saying it provides a valuable space for organizational bonding and cross-pollination of ideas that strengthens the commission as one cohesive organization.
“The importance of early planning, strategic coordination and organizational cohesion cannot be overstated as we move towards the 2027 general elections,” Salami said.
