‘Every vote will count’ – INEC Boss pledges credible 2027 polls

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has reassured Nigerians that every valid vote will count during the 2027 general elections.

Amupitan gave the assurance on Friday while paying a courtesy visit to former Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), at his residence in Minna, Niger State.

The INEC chairman was accompanied by a high-level delegation that included National Commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, directors, and his technical aides.

During the visit, Amupitan reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to conducting a credible, transparent, and fair electoral process, expressing confidence that the votes cast by Nigerians in the 2027 polls would determine the outcome of the elections.

Amupitan described Abubakar as “the father of democracy in Nigeria”, noting that his transition to civilian rule in 1999 marked a defining moment in the country’s democratic history.

The INEC chairman said the commission regarded the former Head of State “not merely as a statesman but as a pillar of support for INEC.”

He also commended Abubakar’s role as Chairman of the National Peace Committee, describing its Peace Accord initiative as “a moralising influence on Nigeria’s political ecosystem.”

According to INEC, Amupitan said the initiative had provided political actors with a platform to commit to non-violence, thereby strengthening “the sovereignty of the will of the Nigerian people.”

Describing the visit as “a pilgrimage of appreciation” for Abubakar’s contributions to peaceful coexistence, peaceful elections and democratic stability, Amupitan also congratulated the former Head of State on his recent 84th birthday anniversary.

The INEC chairman told Abubakar that, regardless of the pressures confronting the commission, it remained committed to ensuring that the will of Nigerians as expressed at the polls would prevail.

He said, “The Commission’s determination under my leadership was to see ordinary Nigerians go out and vote, confident that their votes would be duly counted and reflected in the outcome of elections,” describing this as “the core assurance INEC owed the electorate.”

Amupitan also formally confirmed the dates for the 2027 general elections.

According to INEC, the Presidential and National Assembly elections will hold on January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027.

Abubakar, in turn, called on Nigerians to support INEC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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