The newly appointed Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has set a bold and transformative agenda for the 2027 general elections, describing the task ahead as a defining moment for the nation and the African continent.
Addressing officials and stakeholders in Abuja on Monday, Amupitan acknowledged the immense pressure and expectation surrounding the commission, stating: “The eyes of over 200 million Nigerians and the entire continent are upon us. The work ahead is demanding, the hours will be long and the scrutiny will be intense.”
He emphasized that the 2027 polls must not only be free and fair but must also represent a “watershed moment in Nigeria’s history.” However, Amupitan urged the commission to aim even higher.
“I want us to build an institution that is globally recognized,” he declared. “Let it be 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.”
The chairman outlined a vision where Nigeria’s electoral process would set a new continental benchmark, leveraging technology to ensure transparency and credibility beyond reproach. He framed the 2027 election as more than a national exercise, calling it a “proof-of-concept” for democratic excellence in Africa.
“Our success in 2027 must be more than a national victory,” Amupitan asserted. “It must be a continental standard, a proof-of-concept that demonstrates that INEC can indeed conduct a world-class, technology-driven and transparent election that is beyond reproach.”
The statement comes at a critical juncture for Nigeria’s democracy, with public trust in electoral integrity being a persistent issue following controversies in previous election cycles. Professor Amupitan’s ambitious roadmap signals a clear intent to restore confidence, embrace innovation, and position INEC as a model for electoral governance across the continent.
Political analysts and civil society observers have welcomed the chairman’s commitment but stress that achieving such lofty goals will require substantial reforms, consistent funding, and unwavering political will in the years leading to 2027.
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