2027: Elections Must Never Be Do-or-Die Affairs – Amupitan Appeals to Emir of Zazzau

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has urged the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, CFR, to use his influence to promote non-violent, issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Amupitan made the appeal on Sunday during a courtesy visit to the Emir’s palace in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The visit formed part of INEC’s nationwide Zonal Readiness Assessment and Interactive Staff Engagement for the 2027 polls.“Elections must never be treated as do-or-die affairs, but as a peaceful celebration of civic choice,” the INEC chairman said.

He specifically asked the monarch to counsel young people against allowing themselves to be used as tools for political violence and thuggery.

He also appealed to the Emir to encourage residents of the Zazzau Emirate to participate fully in the electoral process, from collecting their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to turning out peacefully to vote stressing that a vibrant democracy depends on an engaged and informed electorate.

Amupitan noted that the engagement with traditional rulers is a longstanding INEC practice. He recalled similar consultations ahead of recent governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun, as well as interactions with the Oba of Lagos and White Cap Chiefs during the South-West zonal assessment.

He explained that organising elections in Africa’s largest democracy, with a voter register approaching 100 million, requires early planning, operational discipline, and deep stakeholder engagement.

The Commission, he said, has shifted from last-minute logistics to testing, auditing, and strengthening systems well in advance.

Amupitan confirmed the official election dates: Presidential and National Assembly polls on Saturday, January 16, 2027, and Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on Saturday, February 6, 2027.

He assured that administrative, technological, and logistical frameworks are being reinforced across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Reaffirming the Commission’s neutrality, he declared that INEC has “no candidate, no political party, and no interest other than the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.”In his response, Emir Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli commended the INEC chairman for the visit and the timely information shared.

He described the engagement as important and said it had given the Emirate a clearer picture of the Commission’s preparations and the election calendar.

The Emir identified fairness, justice, a level playing field, security, timely information, and prompt release of results as essential for a successful process.

He urged INEC to address past concerns such as late distribution of materials and technical challenges, calling for thorough testing of election equipment and timely arrival of officials and materials at polling units.

He also appealed to political parties and their supporters to conduct themselves responsibly, minimise hate speech, and protect national cohesion, expressing optimism that Nigeria would remain united and continue on the path of democratic governance.

The INEC chairman and his team are continuing the North-West readiness assessment in Kaduna and are scheduled to meet staff from the zone on Monday, September 28, 2026.