BY EMMA PETER, ABUJA
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, has urged traditional rulers to remain neutral and promote peaceful political participation as the commission intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan made the call during a meeting with the Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty, Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu, as part of his official visit to Enugu State for the commission’s South-East zonal readiness assessment.
The INEC chairman urged traditional rulers to use their influence at the grassroots to promote peace, encourage eligible voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and discourage practices capable of undermining the credibility of the forthcoming elections.
He also appealed to the royal fathers to sensitise their communities against voter apathy and vote-selling, while urging political parties, candidates and youth groups to avoid inflammatory statements capable of triggering electoral violence.
According to him, traditional institutions remain important partners in promoting community stability, civic participation and peaceful elections, given their influence in their respective communities.
Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to neutrality, transparency and procedural fairness, assuring Nigerians that every valid vote cast in Enugu State and across the South-East would be accurately reflected in the final results.
Earlier, while addressing INEC staff in Enugu, the chairman charged electoral officers to maintain strict neutrality before, during and after the elections, warning them against any conduct that could suggest support for a political party or candidate.
“We expect absolute neutrality,” Amupitan told the staff, stressing that professionalism, accountability and effective result management were essential to rebuilding public confidence in the electoral process.
He warned that the commission would not tolerate misconduct capable of undermining the integrity of the 2027 general elections.
The INEC chairman described the forthcoming polls as a critical test of the commission’s preparedness, disclosing that arrangements were underway to strengthen election logistics, upgrade facilities, procure materials and train personnel.
He said some sensitive election materials had started arriving, while contracts had been awarded for facility upgrades. He added that vehicles had been procured and further logistical arrangements were being made ahead of the elections.
Amupitan further disclosed that 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 explained that 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 also disclosed that the commission’s collaboration with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security was producing positive results.
He cited the recent arrest of suspects allegedly linked to the kidnapping of corps members serving as ad hoc election personnel, adding that 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 general elections.
He described election management as a demanding national responsibility and urged INEC officials to remain focused, while encouraging Nigerians to embrace positive change and contribute to strengthening democracy.
The traditional ruler also disclosed that he had been encouraging members of his community to collect their PVCs, underscoring the importance of voter participation in the forthcoming elections.
The visit to Enugu marks the South-East leg of INEC’s nationwide physical readiness assessment tour, following similar exercises in the South-West, North-Central and North-West geopolitical zones.
The chairman’s itinerary also included an engagement at INEC’s Enugu South Local Government Area office as part of efforts to assess operational readiness ahead of the 2027 general elections.
