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The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has appealed to the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, CFR, to use his respected position to advise political parties, candidates and their supporters on the need for peaceful and issue-based campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The INEC chairman made the appeal on Sunday during a courtesy visit to the Emir’s palace in Zaria, Kaduna State, as part of the Commission’s nationwide Zonal Readiness Assessment and Interactive Staff Engagement for the 2027 general elections.

“Elections must never be treated as do-or-die affairs, but as a peaceful celebration of civic choice,” Prof. Amupitan said, urging the monarch 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.”

He also urged the Emir to encourage residents of the Zazzau Emirate to take an active part in every stage of the electoral process, beginning with the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) and culminating in peaceful participation on election days, noting that “a vibrant democracy requires an engaged, informed, and participating electorate.”

Amupitan said the visit was in line with the Commission’s established practice of engaging extensively with traditional rulers, recalling 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, as well as the Oba of Lagos and the White Cap Chiefs during the Commission’s South-West Zonal Assessment tour.

He said organising a national election in “Africa’s largest democracy,” where the national voter register is fast approaching the 100 million mark, demands early preparation, operational discipline and extensive engagement with stakeholders.

The INEC chairman added that the Commission had abandoned last-minute logistical arrangements in favour of testing, auditing and improving its operational preparedness well ahead of the elections.

He disclosed that the Commission had set the statutory dates for the 2027 general elections, with the Presidential and National Assembly elections fixed for Saturday, January 16, 2027, while the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections would hold on Saturday, February 6, 2027.

He stressed that administrative, technological and logistical structures were being strengthened across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The INEC chairman assured the Emirate that under his leadership, “INEC remains unreservedly committed to absolute neutrality, fairness, and transparency,” adding that 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, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, commended the INEC chairman for leading the Commission’s delegation to the palace and for keeping the Emirate informed about preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The Emir described the engagement as significant and timely, saying the visit had enabled the Emirate and its people to gain a better understanding of the Commission’s preparations and the election timetable.

He listed fairness, justice, a level playing field, security, timely information dissemination and the prompt announcement of results as essential factors for a successful electoral process.

The Emir also called on INEC to tackle concerns recorded in previous elections, particularly delays in the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive materials and technical difficulties linked to election technology.

He urged the Commission to ensure that election equipment was properly tested before deployment and that electoral officials and materials reached polling units on schedule, noting that such steps would boost public confidence in the electoral process.

The Emir further appealed to political parties and their supporters to behave responsibly throughout the campaign period and reduce hate speech and other conduct capable of undermining peace and national cohesion.

He expressed confidence that Nigeria would remain united and continue to sustain democratic governance.

The INEC chairman and his entourage are currently in Kaduna as part of the nationwide readiness assessment and are expected to engage with staff from North-West states on Monday, September 28, 2026.

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