President Bola Tinubu has charged the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, to ensure free, fair, and credible elections as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 polls.
Speaking during Amupitan’s swearing-in at the State House, Abuja, Tinubu said the credibility of Nigeria’s elections must be “beyond reproach,” stressing that reforms were needed to correct past lapses and meet current realities.
“Our elections must be transparent, non-violent, and credible from registration to result collation,” the President said. He urged INEC to protect its integrity and remain resilient against “artificial setbacks.”
Congratulating Amupitan on his appointment, Tinubu reminded him that his first test would come with the November 2025 Anambra governorship election, which he described as a benchmark for public trust in INEC.
Amupitan pledged to uphold the Constitution and deliver credible polls, adding that success would depend on cooperation from all stakeholders.
Meanwhile, civil society organisations (CSOs) have urged Amupitan to sustain the reforms introduced under former INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. At a colloquium organised by the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), speakers praised Yakubu for technology-driven innovations such as the BVAS, IReV portal, and continuous voter registration, which improved transparency and stakeholder engagement.
However, participants warned that insecurity, vote-buying, and weak enforcement of electoral offences still threaten Nigeria’s democracy.
In related developments, the Labour Party’s leadership crisis deepened after INEC recognised Julius Abure as National Chairman, prompting protests from a rival faction loyal to Senator Nenadi Usman.
Separately, NNPP leader and 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, said his party remains open to alliances ahead of 2027 but would only collaborate with groups that share its vision for the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.
