•INEC chairman Prof Joash Amupitan
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Joash Amupitan, yesterday unveiled his reform agenda in the Commission ahead of next year’s elections.
Top of the agenda is to make the elections a world class standard and a turning point in Nigeria’s democratic history, reports The Nation.
Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, assumed duties as INEC chairman on October 23, 2025 in succession to Professor Mahmood Yakubu.
Speaking in Lagos at the opening session of an induction, orientation, and retreat for new and current National Commissioners of INEC from across the country, the chairman said his plan was to make the Commission the No.1 election management body in Africa.
The Commission, according to him, has “a golden opportunity to rewrite the history of elections in Nigeria.”
He added: “our goal is clear: The 2027 general election must be free and fair and be a watershed moment in Nigeria’s election history.”
He told the participants that the eyes of over 200 million Nigerians and indeed the entire continent “are upon us” and charged them to “brace yourselves up.”
“The work ahead is demanding, the hours will be long, and the scrutiny will be intense,” he warned.
“I want us to build an institution that is recognised globally. Let it be said that under our watch, INEC became the best Election Management Body in Africa —a beacon of integrity, a model of technological efficiency, and a fortress of democratic values.
“Our success in 2027 must be more than a national victory. It must be a continental standard, a proof-of-concept that demonstrates that INEC can indeed conduct a world-class, technologically-driven, and transparent election that is beyond reproach.
“Our mandate, which we should pursue rigorously, is built on five non-negotiable pillars. We are here to organise elections that are free from any form of interference; fair to all contestants and political parties; credible in the eyes of the global community; transparent in every process, from polling units to result collation; and inclusive of every Nigerian, regardless of physical ability or location.
“In pursuing this mandate, we must recognise that 2027 will be defined by a new demographic of Nigerians — millions of young citizens who will be approaching the ballot box for the very first time. These are digital natives who demand transparency in real-time and have little patience for opacity.
“It is our duty to prove to these tech-savvy, and often skeptical, young voters that INEC can be trusted. By ensuring our systems are inclusive and our technology is beyond reproach, we are not just conducting an election; we are securing the lifelong loyalty of Nigeria’s future to the ideals of the ballot.
“I am particularly committed to the Legal Framework of Elections. We will navigate the 2022 Electoral Act and subsequent amendments with surgical precision. Let it be known that under my leadership, the rule of law is not a suggestion; it is our operating system.”
He reaffirmed his commitment to the welfare of the staff but stressed that “as we demand excellence, we will ensure you have the tools and the environment to succeed.”
He vowed that there would be no room for compromise or misconduct, whether by omission or commission.
He thanked the staff for the “successful, peaceful, and professional conduct” of the November 8,2025 Anambra State off-cycle Governorship Election and said their unwavering commitment during that exercise set a positive and formidable tone for my tenure as chairman of the Commission and “proven that we are more than capable of the great tasks ahead.”
He described next month’s FCT Area Council Elections in February 2026 and the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states later in the year as testing grounds for “our resolve and our readiness.” “They offer us the chance to refine our processes — from Voter Registry Management to the integrity of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) — ensuring that every technical and logistical gear is perfectly oiled before the grand national exercise of 2027,” he said.
Resident Electoral Commissioner in Lagos state, Prof. Ayobami Salami said the retreat was a significant milestone in the continuous evolution of the Commission; especially for reflection, strategic alignment and institutional consolidation.
He said the retreat was a strategic platform designed to strengthen leadership capacity, deepen institutional understanding, enhance operational preparedness and reaffirm our collective commitment to the constitutional mandate entrusted to the Commission, adding that public expectations of the electoral process are higher than ever, and “we must not drop the ball.
“As we advance towards the 2027 General Election, the importance of early planning, strategic coordination and institutional cohesion cannot be overstated. The carefully curated sessions in this programme will no doubt, enrich our understanding and equip us with the tools required to discharge our duties effectively, with majesty of the spirit and fidelity of intention.”
