By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has urged the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, CFR, to use his traditional institution to caution politicians and youths against electoral violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan made the appeal on Sunday when he led a delegation of the commission on a courtesy visit to the Emir at his palace in Zaria, Kaduna State, as part of INEC’s nationwide zonal readiness assessment and engagement with staff ahead of the elections.
The INEC chairman urged the monarch to counsel political parties, candidates and their supporters to embrace peaceful and issue-based campaigns, warning against the use of youths as instruments of political violence and thuggery.
“Elections must never be treated as do-or-die affairs, but as a peaceful celebration of civic choice,” Amupitan said.
He also appealed to the Emir to encourage residents of the Zazzau Emirate to participate actively in the electoral process, including the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and peaceful turnout to vote on election day.
According to him, “a vibrant democracy requires an engaged, informed, and participating electorate.”
Amupitan said the visit was part of INEC’s established engagement with traditional rulers across the country, noting that similar consultations had been held with traditional institutions in Ekiti, Osun and Lagos states as part of preparations for previous elections.
He said the conduct of a national election in Nigeria required early planning, operational discipline and sustained engagement with stakeholders.
The INEC chairman said the commission had moved away from last-minute preparations and was focusing on testing, auditing and strengthening its operational, technological and logistical arrangements ahead of the 2027 elections.
He disclosed that the statutory dates for the 2027 general elections had been fixed, with the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections would hold on February 6, 2027.
Amupitan assured the people of the Zazzau Emirate of INEC’s commitment to neutrality, fairness and transparency, saying the commission had “no candidate, no political party, and no interest other than the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.”
Responding, the Emir of Zazzau commended the INEC chairman for visiting the palace and providing information on the commission’s preparations for the 2027 elections.
Bamalli described the engagement as important, saying it had provided the Emirate and its people with a clearer understanding of the electoral calendar and INEC’s preparations.
He identified fairness, justice, a level playing field, security, timely dissemination of information and prompt release of election results as critical to the success of the electoral process.
The monarch, however, urged INEC to address challenges experienced during previous elections, particularly delays in the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials as well as technical difficulties associated with election technology.
He called for election equipment to be adequately tested before deployment and urged the commission to ensure that election officials and materials arrived at polling units on time.
Bamalli also appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct themselves responsibly during the campaign period and avoid hate speech and other actions capable of undermining peace and national cohesion.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria would remain united and continue to sustain democratic governance.
The INEC chairman and his entourage are in Kaduna as part of the nationwide readiness assessment and are expected to meet with staff from the North-West states on Monday.
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