*Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, visits General Abdulsalam Abubakar (Rtd.), a former Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee, in Minna, Niger State capital, reassuring Nigerians that their votes will count come 2027 General Elections
Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect
As the electoral body prepares for the 2027 General Elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reassured Nigerians that their votes will count.
The Commission stated this Friday, July 24, 2026, as General Abdulsalam Abubakar (Rtd.), a former Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee (NPC), urged the citizens to rally around the Commission ahead of next year’s elections.
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Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, Chairman of INEC, gave the assurance during his courtesy visit to General Abubakar’s residence in Minna, Niger State capital.
Amupitan Friday, had led a delegation comprising National Commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, Directors and Technical Aides of the Chairman to Minna.
The electoral body, in a bulletin said Prof. Amupitan, in his remarks, described General Abubakar as the father of democracy in Nigeria.
The INEC Chief also noted that his transition to civilian rule in 1999 marked a defining moment in the West African country’s democratic history.
He also stated the Commission regards the former Head of State not merely as a statesman but as a pillar of support for INEC.
The INEC Chairman commended General Abubakar’s role as Chairman of the National Peace Committee.
The INEC Chief as well described Abubakar’s Peace Accord initiative as a moralising influence on Nigeria’s political ecosystem.
Prof. Amupitan said the elder statesman’s initiative, over the years, had provided political actors with a platform to commit to non-violence, thereby strengthening the sovereignty of the will of the Nigerian people.
The Chairman of INEC described the visit as a pilgrimage of appreciation for General Abubakar’s contributions to peaceful coexistence, peaceful elections and democratic stability in the country, and further congratulated him on his recent 84th Birthday Anniversary.
He told the former Head of State that regardless of the pressures confronting the Commission, INEC remained committed to ensuring that the will of the Nigerian people, as expressed at the Election, would prevail.
According to Amupitan, the Commission’s determination under his leadership is 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.
The INEC Chairman, therefore, used the occasion to formally confirm that the Presidential and National Assembly elections would hold January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly election would take place February 6 next year.
Responding, General Abubakar commended the Commission’s leadership, and described the INEC chairmanship as one of the most demanding positions in the country, given the divergent expectations of political actors regardless of whatever direction the Commission takes.
The ex-Head of State urged Nigerians to support the Commission and its leadership.
He also emphasised that the success of the country’s democracy depended on the cooperation and confidence extended to INEC by the citizenry and political stakeholders alike.
General Abubakar expressed confidence in Prof. Amupitan’s leadership.
He also urged the INEC Chief to remain firm and impartial in the discharge of his duties.
The retired Army General assured the Commission of his continued support and prayers ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Amupitan further thanked General Abubakar for his continued goodwill towards the Commission, and reiterated that INEC would spare no effort at delivering free, fair and credible elections in 2027.
Earlier, on Friday the INEC Chairman had held an interactive session with staff of the Commission’s Niger State office.
He echoed the same message of commitment to Nigerians, telling personnel that their diligence and integrity in the field were central to ensuring that every vote cast would count.
The Chairman of INEC described the staff as the grassroots foot soldiers of the Commission and charged Electoral Officers and other field officials to see themselves as ambassadors of INEC.
He noted that public confidence in the electoral process depended significantly on their conduct at the point of service.
Prof. Amupitan also used the visit to the Niger State office to restate the Commission’s commitment to improving staff welfare, disclosing that a review of welfare packages was underway following his observation that conditions met on assumption of office were among the poorest compared to other public institutions.