*Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, in Nigeria, appeals to Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, CFR, Emir of Zazzau, in Kaduna State, to use his exalted position to counsel political parties, candidates, and their supporters on the imperative of peaceful, issue-based campaigns ahead 2027 General Elections
Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect
Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, SAN, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has appealed to Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, CFR, Emir of Zazzau, to use his exalted platform to counsel political parties, candidates, and their supporters, mostly youths, on the imperative of non-violent, issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Amupitan said this Sunday, September 27, 2026, during a courtesy visit to the Emir’s Palace in Zaria, Kaduna State, Northern Nigeria.
ConsumerConnect reports the Commission’s visit to the palace was part of its ongoing nationwide Zonal Readiness Assessment and Interactive Staff Engagement for next year’s General Elections.
The chairman of INEC also noted: “Elections must never be treated as a do-or-die affair, but as a peaceful celebration of civic choice.”
He equally urged the traditional ruler to “strongly counsel our youth not to allow themselves to be used as tools in the hands of politicians or instruments of political violence and thuggery.”
Amupitan also tasked the Emir of Zassau to encourage the people of Zazzau Emirate to actively participate in all stages of the electoral process, from the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) to turning out peacefully to vote on election days, stating that “a vibrant democracy requires an engaged, informed, and participating electorate.”
The INEC Chief Executive explained the visit was part of the Commission’s established tradition of deep engagement with traditional rulers.
The national electoral body as well recalled similar consultations with the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti during the Ekiti Governorship Election, over 50 Osun monarchs, including the Ooni of Ife and the Ataoja of Osogbo ahead of the Osun Governorship Election, and the Oba of Lagos and the White Cap Chiefs during the Commission’s South-West Zonal Assessment tour.
The Chairman noted that conducting a national election in “Africa’s largest democracy,” with a national voter register rapidly approaching the 100 million mark, required early planning, operational discipline, and deep stakeholder engagement.
According to him, the Commission has moved away from last-minute logistics in favour of testing, auditing, and strengthening its operational readiness well ahead of time.
He disclosed that the Commission had fixed the statutory dates for the 2027 General Elections, with the Presidential and National Assembly Elections scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2027, and the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2027.
Amupitan stressed that all administrative, technological, and logistical frameworks were being fortified across the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The INEC Chairman assured the Emirate that under his leadership, “INEC remains unreservedly committed to absolute neutrality, fairness, and transparency.”
He insisted that the Commission has “no candidate, no political party, and no interest other than the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.”
Responding, the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, CFR, commended the INEC Chairman for leading the Commission’s delegation to the palace and for providing timely information on preparations for the 2027 General Election.
The Emir described the engagement as remarkable and important, noting that the visit had helped the Emirate and its people gain a clearer understanding of the Commission’s preparations and the election calendar.
The monarch also identified fairness, justice, a level-playing field, security, timely dissemination of information, and the prompt release of results as critical elements for a successful electoral process.
The Emir as well urged INEC to address concerns arising from previous elections, particularly the late distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive materials and technical challenges associated with election technology.
Amb. Bamalli, therefore, advised that election equipment be adequately tested before deployment, and for election officials and materials to arrive at polling units on time
Such measures, would strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
The Emir further appealed to political parties and their supporters to conduct themselves responsibly during the campaign period and minimise hate speech and other actions capable of threatening peace and national cohesion.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria would continue to remain united and sustain democratic governance.
Prof. Amupitan and his entourage are in Kaduna in continuation of the nationwide readiness assessment, and are expected to meet with staff from the North-West states Monday, September 28, 2026.