The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, visited the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, CFR, as part of activities ahead of the Commission’s planned interactive meeting with staff and readiness assessment for the 2027 General Election at the zonal level.
The Chairman was accompanied by National Commissioners, the Acting Director-General of the Electoral Institute, his Chief Press Secretary, Chief Technical Assistant, Chief of Staff and other Special Aides,, as well as directors of the Commission, to the palace of the 19th Emir of Zazzau, where he described the visit as an important stakeholder engagement ahead of the 2027 electoral activities.
The visit formed part of the Commission’s stakeholder engagement as it intensifies preparations for the 2027 elections.
The INEC Chairman said the Commission considered traditional institutions important stakeholders in the electoral process because of their influence and grassroots reach.
He said elections were fundamentally about the social contract between citizens and those entrusted with public office, stressing that public trust remained critical to the success of democracy.
According to him, INEC was commencing its preparations early because of the size and complexity of conducting elections in Nigeria.
He said the Commission had moved away from last-minute preparations and was testing, auditing and strengthening its operational systems well ahead of the 2027 polls.
INEC Chairman told the Emir that the Commission was committed to neutrality, fairness and transparency.
“We have no candidates, we have no political party, we have no interest other than the sovereign will of the people of Nigeria,” he said.
He also appealed to the Emir to use his influence to counsel political parties, candidates and their supporters against violence and hate-driven campaigns.
According to him, elections should not be treated as “do-or-die affairs” but as a peaceful expression of citizens’ choices.
He particularly urged traditional rulers to discourage young people from allowing themselves to be used for political violence.
He also called on eligible voters to participate actively in the electoral process, including the forthcoming collection of their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), stressing that an informed and engaged electorate is essential to a vibrant democracy.
Responding, the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, commended Amupitan for leading the INEC delegation to the palace and for providing information on preparations for the 2027 elections.
The Emir said the engagement had helped bring the people of the emirate up to date on the Commission’s plans and the election timetable.
The Emir urged INEC to ensure that sensitive materials and election equipment were delivered on time and that the devices to be deployed were thoroughly tested before being sent to polling locations.
He also stressed the importance of security, timely dissemination of information and prompt announcement of results in building public confidence in the electoral process.
Bamalli called on political parties and their supporters to conduct themselves responsibly during the campaign period, particularly by avoiding hate speech and other actions capable of threatening national unity.
