By Taiwo Scholarstica
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has assured Nigerians that their votes will count in the forthcoming elections.
This is as former Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee (NPC), General Abdulsalam Abubakar (rtd.), called on Nigerians to support the electoral commission ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan gave the assurance on Friday during a courtesy visit to General Abubakar at his residence in Minna, Niger State.
The INEC chairman led a delegation comprising National Commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, Directors, and his technical aides to the meeting with the former Head of State.
Speaking during the visit, Amupitan described General Abubakar as the father of democracy in Nigeria, noting that his transition from military rule to civilian administration in 1999 represented a significant turning point in the country’s democratic development.
He said the Commission regarded the former Head of State not merely as a statesman, but as a pillar of support for INEC.
The INEC chairman also commended Abubakar’s role as Chairman of the National Peace Committee, particularly the Peace Accord initiative, which he described as a moralizing influence on Nigeria’s political ecosystem.
According to Amupitan, the initiative has, over the years, provided political actors with an avenue to commit themselves to non-violence during elections.
He said the initiative had contributed to strengthening the sovereignty of the will of the Nigerian people by encouraging political stakeholders to embrace peaceful conduct and respect the democratic process.
Amupitan described his visit to the former Head of State as a pilgrimage of appreciation for Abubakar’s contributions to peaceful coexistence, peaceful elections, and democratic stability in the country.
He also congratulated the former Head of State on his recent 84th birthday anniversary, acknowledging his continued contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development and peace-building efforts.
The visit comes as INEC intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections and engages key stakeholders on ways to strengthen the electoral process and promote peaceful participation.
Amupitan had earlier assured Nigerians that the commission remained committed to ensuring that voters’ choices at the polls would be respected.
He said, “The Commission’s determination under my leadership is to see ordinary Nigerians go out and vote, confident that their votes will be duly counted and reflected in the outcome of elections, describing this as the core assurance INEC owed the electorate.
The INEC chairman also confirmed the dates for the 2027 general elections, with the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.
The electoral commission has continued to call for the cooperation of political parties, candidates, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders as preparations for the elections gather momentum.
The support of Nigerians, according to stakeholders, will be important to the success of the electoral process, particularly in promoting peaceful participation and ensuring confidence in the outcome of the polls.
General Abubakar, in his response, called on Nigerians to rally behind INEC ahead of the 2027 general elections.