2027: INEC Urges Traditional Rulers To Mobilise Voters, Curb Political Tension

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged traditional rulers across Nigeria to use their influence to mobilise eligible voters for the 2027 general election and help prevent political tension during the electoral process.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, made the call on Tuesday when he led the commission’s leadership on a courtesy visit to the Oba of Lagos, Oba Riliwanu Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu, at the Iga Idunganran Palace in Lagos.

The visit was 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 INEC selected the South-West, with Lagos as the starting point, because of the strategic importance of the zone and the state to Nigeria’s electoral and democratic development.

The INEC chairman said the commission was not only assessing its operational preparedness but also seeking the support of traditional institutions to increase voter participation and promote peace during the elections.

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He formally informed the Oba of Lagos of the dates for the 2027 general election, with the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.

Amupitan said the commission was working towards an election that would be technologically driven, transparent and inclusive, with improvements to systems including online voter registration and result management.

However, he said technology alone would not be enough to guarantee a successful election, stressing the importance of citizens’ participation.

“Technology alone cannot build a democracy; people do,” the INEC chairman said.

He urged traditional rulers to encourage eligible Nigerians in their communities to complete the required voter registration processes and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before statutory deadlines.

Amupitan also sought the intervention of the Oba of Lagos and the Lagos Traditional Council in promoting issue-based campaigns and discouraging hate speech, character assassination, inflammatory rhetoric and campaigns of calumny ahead of the election.

He urged political actors to focus on policies and issues rather than personalities, stressing that maintaining peace in Lagos and across the country should take precedence over individual political ambitions.

The INEC chairman further said the readiness assessment was aimed at ensuring that the commission’s personnel remained professional, neutral and impartial in the discharge of their duties.

According to him, INEC had already engaged Resident Electoral Commissioners, Electoral Officers and Heads of Departments across the South-West and reminded them of the laws and regulations governing elections.

Amupitan said the commission was determined to deliver a 2027 election capable of strengthening public confidence in the electoral process and promoting national unity.

Responding, the Oba of Lagos welcomed INEC’s decision to begin its zonal readiness assessment in Lagos and expressed optimism about the success of the commission under Amupitan’s leadership.

Akiolu urged the INEC chairman and National Commissioners to remain “honest, steadfast and unwavering” in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The monarch also called on politicians to move away from short-term patronage and embrace genuine capacity building.

Akiolu supported the call for issue-based campaigns, urging politicians to avoid hate speech and inflammatory rhetoric while encouraging traditional rulers to continue guiding their communities and mobilising citizens to participate in elections.

He also appealed to the Federal Government to provide adequate and timely funding for elections, saying INEC should receive 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.