2027: INEC Woos Traditional Rulers to Drive Voter Turnout
….Prevent Election Tension
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has turned to traditional rulers for support in mobilising Nigerians to vote and reducing political tension ahead of the 2027 General Election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, made the appeal on Tuesday during a visit to the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Oba Riliwanu Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu, at the Iga Idunganran Palace, Lagos.
Amupitan urged traditional institutions to deploy their influence across communities to encourage eligible citizens to participate fully in the electoral process.
He said their intervention would be particularly important as political activities gather momentum, noting that traditional rulers could play a significant role in promoting peaceful and issue-based campaigns.
The visit formed part of INEC’s South-West Zonal Readiness Assessment and Staff Interactive Session, which marks the commencement of the Commission’s nationwide engagement across the six geopolitical zones.
The INEC chairman said the South-West was selected as the starting point because of the zone’s strategic importance to Nigeria’s electoral and democratic development.
He disclosed that the Presidential and National Assembly elections would hold on January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
According to Amupitan, INEC is strengthening its electoral systems and deploying technology to make the 2027 elections more transparent, inclusive and efficient.
But he stressed that technology alone would not deliver credible elections without active participation by citizens.
“Technology alone cannot build a democracy; people do,” the INEC chairman said.
He therefore urged traditional rulers to encourage eligible Nigerians to complete their voter registration processes and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before the relevant deadlines.
Amupitan also appealed to the Oba of Lagos and the Lagos Traditional Council to help discourage inflammatory political rhetoric, hate speech, character assassination and campaigns of calumny.
He urged politicians to make the 2027 campaign season about policies and issues rather than personalities, stressing that the peace of Lagos and Nigeria should not be sacrificed for political ambitions.
The INEC chairman said the Commission’s readiness assessment was also aimed at ensuring that its officials remained professional, neutral and impartial before, during and after the elections.
He disclosed that INEC had already engaged its Resident Electoral Commissioners, Electoral Officers and Heads of Departments across the South-West, reminding them of the need to strictly adhere to electoral laws and regulations.
Amupitan said the Commission was determined to deliver a 2027 election capable of boosting public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system and strengthening national unity.
Responding, the Oba of Lagos welcomed INEC’s decision to begin its zonal readiness exercise in Lagos and expressed optimism about the success of the Commission under Amupitan’s leadership.
