Retreat: INEC commits to global best practices, highlights success factors for 2027 General Elections

*Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, in Nigeria, emphasises the significance of early planning, strategic coordination, and strict adherence to the rule of law as some of the crucial factors for credibility of the 2027 General Elections in the country

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As the country’s electoral umpire intensifies institutional preparations, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive General Elections come 2027.

ConsumerConnect reports Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, Chairman of INEC, stated Friday, January 9, 2026, in his remarks at the opening of a two-day Induction and Strategic Retreat, which the Commission organised in Lagos.

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INEC had organised the retreat for National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).

Prof. Amupitan said INEC was deliberately strengthening its leadership capacity, operational systems, and institutional coherence in response to rising public expectations of the electoral process in the West African country.

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The Chairman of the Commission also emphasised that early planning, strategic coordination, and strict adherence to the rule of law will be crucial to the credibility of the 2027 General Elections.

Key electoral milestones for INEC to navigate, by Amupitan

Prof. Amupitan noted that while the 2027 General Election remains INEC’s ultimate goal, the Commission must first successfully navigate several key electoral milestones.

According to him, these include the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections scheduled for February 2026, as well as the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, in the South-West region.

These elections, the Chairman said, would serve as important testing grounds for refining voter registry management, election logistics, and the deployment of technology such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

5 Pillars of Commission’s constitutional mandate

In a move to ensure that no eligible Nigerian is disenfranchised, the Chairman of INEC, at the event, outlined five non-negotiable pillars guiding the Commission’s mandate.

He noted these are elections free from interference, fairness to all political parties and candidates, credibility in the eyes of Nigerians and the international community, transparency across all stages of the electoral process, and inclusivity.

Amupitan equally noted the growing population of young, first-time voters ahead of 2027.

He described the age bracket as “digitally savvy citizens”, who demand transparency in real time and have little tolerance for opacity.

The Chairman as well said earning the trust of this demographic would require systems that are “inclusive, technologically sound and beyond reproach”.

The credibility established in 2027 will translate into long-term confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process, he averred.

Emphasising the legal framework governing elections, Prof. Amupitan assured Nigerians, that the Commission would continue to operate strictly within the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act and any subsequent amendments.

He stated that under his leadership, respect for the rule of law remains fundamental to INEC’s operations and decision-making, warning that any compromise of established values or procedures will attract consequences.

The INEC Chief as well explained that the retreat was designed to deliberate on 17 critical thematic areas aimed at strengthening election management.

These, he stated, include logistics and personnel deployment, Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and revalidation, election security and inter-agency collaboration, political party regulation, internal party democracy and campaign finance transparency, election result management, and the training of election personnel.

Prof. Amupitan disclosed that the engagement was designed to induct newly-appointed Commission Members and Resident Electoral Commissioners into INEC’s institutional framework, administrative structure, communication processes and ethical standards.

The Commission said participants in the retreat were also acquainted with the legal framework for elections, electoral amendments, as well as the timelines and procedures of election tribunals.

He reiterated that the Management retreat provides an opportunity for experienced state-level implementers of the Commission’s policies and programmes to share lessons from off-cycle elections, bye-elections and other electoral activities.

These insights, he said, would inform strategies to improve the integrity of the voter register, election logistics, personnel training and the Election Result Management System ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

Reaffirming his commitment to staff welfare, the INEC Chairman assured that while excellence would be demanded, the Commission would continue to provide the tools and enabling environment required for optimal performance.

He urged the Commission’s leadership to break down institutional silos, promote open communication and emerge united in restoring and sustaining public trust in the electoral process.

Earlier, Prof. Ayobami Salami, Resident Electoral Commissioner for Lagos State, had welcomed participants to Lagos, describing the retreat as a significant milestone in the Commission’s continuous institutional evolution.

Prof. Salami said the engagement offered a platform for reflection, strategic alignment and institutional consolidation at a time when public expectations of the electoral process are higher than ever before.

The Lagos REC also emphasised that early planning, coordination and institutional cohesion are indispensable as the Commission advances towards the 2027 General Election.

He added that beyond enhancing technical knowledge, the retreat the participants opportunities for peer interaction, leadership bonding, and cross-fertilisation of ideas that would strengthen INEC as a cohesive and effective Election Management Body.

Abayomi also congratulated newly appointed Chairman Amupitan, National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners.

The REC urged all participants to engage fully in the sessions, and contribute meaningfully to discussions aimed at building an electoral system that inspires confidence and upholds Nigeria’s democratic aspirations.

Core objectives of retreat, by Director of Planning and Monitoring

Outlining the objectives of the Retreat, Mrs. Helen Ajayi, Director of Planning and Monitoring, explained that new Commission members will be inducted into INEC’s institutional framework, familiarising them with the legal and administrative architecture of elections and providing a platform for experience sharing among implementers of electoral policies at the state level.

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