The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has reaffirmed the commission’s neutrality ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting it has no preferred candidate and remains committed to delivering credible polls.
Speaking through INEC’s Director of Legal Services, Al-Hassan Umar (SAN), at a seminar on election security in Abuja, Amupitan urged members of the Armed Forces deployed for election duties to remain politically neutral and uphold professionalism throughout the electoral process.
“The Commission has no candidate in any election. Our allegiance is solely to the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the freely expressed will of the Nigerian people,” he said.
He stressed that the credibility of the 2027 elections would depend on the commitment of all stakeholders, particularly security agencies, to fairness, accountability and respect for the rule of law.
Amupitan identified key priorities for credible elections, including stronger collaboration among security agencies, intelligence-led operations, regular election-specific training, strict adherence to rules of engagement and greater transparency during election duties.
He also highlighted emerging security threats such as insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, political violence, cyber threats and misinformation, noting that INEC would continue working with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to address potential risks.
The INEC chairman further acknowledged the role of the Armed Forces in providing logistics support, particularly airlifting sensitive election materials to remote communities to ensure eligible voters are not disenfranchised.
Also speaking at the seminar, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, represented by Rear Admiral Abolade Ogunleye, assured Nigerians that the military would continue to operate within constitutional limits while supporting civil authorities during elections.
He said lessons from recent off-cycle governorship elections and by-elections would help strengthen coordination among security agencies, adding that the success of Operation SAFE CONDUCT 2027 would be measured by the military’s neutrality, professionalism and respect for human rights throughout the electoral process.
