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 position to encourage political parties, candidates and their supporters to embrace peaceful and 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, as part of INEC’s nationwide Zonal Readiness Assessment and Interactive Staff Engagement ahead of the elections.
“Elections must never be treated as do-or-die affairs, but as a peaceful celebration of civic choice,” Prof. Amupitan said, urging the monarch to “strongly counsel our youth not to allow themselves to be used as tools in the hands of politicians or instruments of political violence and thuggery.”
The INEC chairman also called on the Emir to encourage residents of the Zazzau Emirate to participate actively in the electoral process, including obtaining their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) and turning out peacefully to vote.
He noted that “a vibrant democracy requires an engaged, informed, and participating electorate.”
Amupitan explained that the visit was part of INEC’s established engagement with traditional rulers, citing previous consultations with traditional institutions ahead of elections in Ekiti and Osun states, as well as during the Commission’s South-West Zonal Assessment tour.
He stressed that organising a national election in “Africa’s largest democracy,” with the voter register approaching 100 million, required early preparation, operational discipline and extensive engagement with stakeholders.
According to him, INEC has shifted from last-minute logistics to a system focused on testing, auditing and strengthening its operational readiness well ahead of election day.
The INEC chairman disclosed that the Commission had fixed the statutory dates for the 2027 general elections, with the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2027, while the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on Saturday, February 6, 2027.
He added that the Commission was strengthening its administrative, technological and logistical systems across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Amupitan also assured the Emirate of the Commission’s commitment to impartiality and transparency, stating that “INEC remains unreservedly committed to absolute neutrality, fairness, and transparency.”
He added that the Commission had “no candidate, no political party, and no interest other than the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.”
Responding, the Emir of Zazzau commended Amupitan for leading the INEC delegation to the palace and providing information on the Commission’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
Bamalli described the engagement as important and said it had provided the Emirate and its people with greater insight into INEC’s preparations and the electoral timetable.
The Emir identified fairness, justice, a level playing field, security, timely dissemination of information and prompt declaration of results as important factors in ensuring a successful electoral process.
He also urged INEC to address challenges recorded during previous elections, particularly delays in distributing sensitive and non-sensitive materials and technical difficulties associated with election technology.
Bamalli called for election equipment to be properly tested before deployment and urged the Commission to ensure that electoral officials and materials arrive at polling units on time, noting that such measures would help strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
The Emir further appealed to political parties and their supporters to conduct themselves responsibly during campaigns and avoid hate speech and other actions that could undermine peace and national cohesion.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria would continue to maintain its unity and democratic system.
The INEC chairman and his delegation are in Kaduna as part of the nationwide readiness assessment and are expected to engage with staff from states across the North-West on Monday, September 28, 2026.
