Ekiti, Osun Polls Litmus Test for 2027, Says INEC Chair
The Independent National Electoral Commission has said the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, alongside the Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections scheduled for February 2026, would serve as a critical test ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan (SAN), stated this at a two-day Induction and Strategic Retreat for newly appointed Commission members and Resident Electoral Commissioners in Lagos.
Amupitan explained that the retreat was organised to familiarise new appointees with the Commission’s institutional framework, administrative structure, communication processes and ethical standards, as preparations intensify towards future elections.
While noting that the 2027 general election remained INEC’s ultimate focus, the chairman said the Commission must first successfully conduct key electoral exercises that would help fine-tune its operations.
“These elections will serve as important testing grounds for refining voter registry management, election logistics and the deployment of technology such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System,” Amupitan said.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to conducting elections that are free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive, adding that INEC was deliberately strengthening its leadership capacity, operational systems and institutional coherence in response to rising public expectations.
The INEC boss stressed that early planning, strategic coordination and strict adherence to the rule of law would be crucial to the credibility of the 2027 general election.
Amupitan also outlined five non-negotiable pillars guiding the Commission’s mandate: elections free from interference; fairness to all political parties and candidates; credibility in the eyes of Nigerians and the international community; transparency at all stages of the electoral process; and inclusivity to ensure that no eligible Nigerian is disenfranchised.
Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Lagos State, Prof Ayobami Salami, described the retreat as a significant milestone in INEC’s ongoing institutional development.
Salami said the engagement provided an opportunity for reflection, strategic alignment and institutional consolidation at a time when public expectations of the electoral process were higher than ever, stressing that early planning and coordination remained indispensable as the Commission moves towards the 2027 polls.
Sodiq Yusuf is a trained media practitioner and journalist with considerable years of experience in print, broadcast, and digital journalism. His interests cover a wide range of causes in politics, governance, sports, community development, and good governance.
