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 advise political parties, candidates, and their supporters on the need for non-violent, issue-based campaigning ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan made this appeal on Sunday, 27th September, 2026, 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 polls.
“Elections must never be treated as do-or-die affairs, but as a peaceful celebration of civic choice,” he 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 called on the Emir 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, stating that “a vibrant democracy requires an engaged, informed, and participating electorate.”
Prof. Amupitan explained that the visit was part of the Commission’s tradition of deep engagement 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, and the Oba of Lagos and the White Cap Chiefs during the Commission’s South-West Zonal Assessment tour.
He noted that conducting a national election in “Africa’s largest democracy,” with a voter register approaching the 100 million mark, required early planning, operational discipline, and deep stakeholder engagement, adding that the Commission had moved away from last-minute logistics in favour of testing, auditing, and strengthening its operational readiness well ahead of time.
He disclosed that the Presidential and National Assembly Elections are scheduled for Saturday, 16th January 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly Elections will hold on Saturday, 6th February 2027, stressing that all administrative, technological, and logistical frameworks were being fortified 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 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 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 helped the Emirate and its people better understand the Commission’s preparations and the election calendar.
He 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 also 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.
He called for election equipment to be adequately tested before deployment and for election officials and materials to arrive at polling units on time, saying 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.
The INEC Chairman 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 on Monday, 28th September, 2026.
